UK energy consumers acceptability of a heat deferral approach to mitigating peak electricity demands
UK energy consumers acceptability of a heat deferral approach to mitigating peak electricity demands
In order to meet UK 'net zero' objectives, residential heat demand is to be decarbonised through a combination of electrification (alongside the decarbonisation of electricity generation) and energy efficiency measures. This strategy, in combination with electric vehicles, could lead to a 200-300% increase in the UK's annual electricity demand and could introduce serious capacity issues for the electricity system. In the future, residential electrical heating or electric vehicle charging loads may need to be controlled remotely and adjusted to better suit the capacity of electricity network infrastructure.
Here we present part of a study examining the concept of ‘deferable heat’: the reduction of electrical load from heating appliances such as air-source heat pumps for short periods during peak times. We report the findings of an online survey with a UK energy provider’s domestic customers (N=4,100) which asks whether household approve of such a scheme and what levels of heat deferral they would be willing to accept at various times of day. The survey also gathered information on energy literacy levels, personality traits, trust in energy companies, social demographics, thermal comfort and general dwelling information. These factors were examined in the analysis to determine the extent to which they influence stated acceptance of heat deferral.
The survey results helped to identify pathways for ongoing research, guiding follow-up online focus group interactions further examining the factors influencing household acceptance. Moreover, the stated preferences will be tested against actual behaviour during a field trial (active 2022 to 2024).
energy, heat deferral, focus groups, residential heating, heat pumps
Turner, Philip
772d9dd5-829d-4e40-83a2-f8ea70ee2b14
Gauthier, Stephanie
4e7702f7-e1a9-4732-8430-fabbed0f56ed
25 May 2022
Turner, Philip
772d9dd5-829d-4e40-83a2-f8ea70ee2b14
Gauthier, Stephanie
4e7702f7-e1a9-4732-8430-fabbed0f56ed
Turner, Philip and Gauthier, Stephanie
(2022)
UK energy consumers acceptability of a heat deferral approach to mitigating peak electricity demands.
9th Annual ERBE Student-Led Conference: Striking the Balance: Demand Reduction vs Supply Decarbonisation, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland.
25 May 2022.
Record type:
Conference or Workshop Item
(Other)
Abstract
In order to meet UK 'net zero' objectives, residential heat demand is to be decarbonised through a combination of electrification (alongside the decarbonisation of electricity generation) and energy efficiency measures. This strategy, in combination with electric vehicles, could lead to a 200-300% increase in the UK's annual electricity demand and could introduce serious capacity issues for the electricity system. In the future, residential electrical heating or electric vehicle charging loads may need to be controlled remotely and adjusted to better suit the capacity of electricity network infrastructure.
Here we present part of a study examining the concept of ‘deferable heat’: the reduction of electrical load from heating appliances such as air-source heat pumps for short periods during peak times. We report the findings of an online survey with a UK energy provider’s domestic customers (N=4,100) which asks whether household approve of such a scheme and what levels of heat deferral they would be willing to accept at various times of day. The survey also gathered information on energy literacy levels, personality traits, trust in energy companies, social demographics, thermal comfort and general dwelling information. These factors were examined in the analysis to determine the extent to which they influence stated acceptance of heat deferral.
The survey results helped to identify pathways for ongoing research, guiding follow-up online focus group interactions further examining the factors influencing household acceptance. Moreover, the stated preferences will be tested against actual behaviour during a field trial (active 2022 to 2024).
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Published date: 25 May 2022
Additional Information:
Presentation to the 9th Annual ERBE - LoLo Conference for Early Career Researchers
Striking the Balance: Demand Reduction vs Supply Decarbonisation
Venue - Dates:
9th Annual ERBE Student-Led Conference: Striking the Balance: Demand Reduction vs Supply Decarbonisation, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland, 2022-05-25 - 2022-05-25
Keywords:
energy, heat deferral, focus groups, residential heating, heat pumps
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 469427
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/469427
PURE UUID: 54754b8f-372a-4995-beba-3ee938970f1d
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 14 Sep 2022 16:50
Last modified: 23 Feb 2023 03:18
Export record
Contributors
Author:
Philip Turner
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics