Acceptability of heat pump energy deferral for mitigating peak electricity demands: findings from a UK field trial
Acceptability of heat pump energy deferral for mitigating peak electricity demands: findings from a UK field trial
In the UK domestic heating accounts for around 14% of carbon emissions, therefore in order to meet the net zero objectives, residential heat demand will need to be decarbonised through a combination of electrification at the building level alongside that of the electricity supply and combined with energy efficiency measures. However, electrification of residential heat, in addition to decarbonation of mobility through electric vehicles (EV), could lead to a 200-300% increase in the UK's annual electricity demand, resulting in serious capacity issues for the electricity supply system. In order to maintain grid supply and stability, the future electrical heating appliances or EV charging loads will need to be remotely controlled and adjusted (knowns as Heat Flex) to better suit the capacity of electricity network infrastructure whilst maintaining substations and feeders within their regulatory and technical limits. In this work we present the learnings gained from online interviews and surveys (N=60) in a first of a kind UK field trial which tests third party remote control of domestic heat pumps (Heat Flex). The responses alongside the online survey from a sample of households (N=4,100) is combined with online focus group discussion (N=120) providing insights on whether households would approve of Heat Flex. Hence, this paper reports on what (i) level of heat deferral (e.g. temperature and time) would be considered acceptable, (ii) required incentivisation strategies and (iii) what factors, such as energy literacy and household composition, were found to influence acceptance of Heat Flex. Initial results indicate that appropriate pathways can be identified to support Heat Flex. The ongoing research, facilitated by the combine samples is also providing guiding principles to optimise the Heat Flex approaches through follow-up online focus group that will further examine the factors influencing household acceptance. Moreover, with demand flexibility is becoming an increasingly significant part of the energy landscape, such as the National Grid ESO’s demand flexibility services and the Cosy Octopus Tariff, our results are providing a pathfinder evidence to inform national energy reduction policies, as well as providing insights of influencing acceptability factors.
energy, heat pumps, flexibility, heating, demand reduction, direct control
Turner, Philip
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Rushby, Tom
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James, Patrick
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Gauthier, Stephanie
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Manfren, Massimiliano
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Bahaj, Abubakr
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16 August 2023
Turner, Philip
772d9dd5-829d-4e40-83a2-f8ea70ee2b14
Rushby, Tom
bdb7715f-0331-491c-a9dd-5835f30b0bf8
James, Patrick
da0be14a-aa63-46a7-8646-a37f9a02a71b
Gauthier, Stephanie
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Manfren, Massimiliano
f2b8c02d-cb78-411d-aed1-c4d056365392
Bahaj, Abubakr
a64074cc-2b6e-43df-adac-a8437e7f1b37
Turner, Philip, Rushby, Tom, James, Patrick, Gauthier, Stephanie, Manfren, Massimiliano and Bahaj, Abubakr
(2023)
Acceptability of heat pump energy deferral for mitigating peak electricity demands: findings from a UK field trial.
20th International Conference on Sustainble Technologies, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
15 - 17 Aug 2023.
Record type:
Conference or Workshop Item
(Paper)
Abstract
In the UK domestic heating accounts for around 14% of carbon emissions, therefore in order to meet the net zero objectives, residential heat demand will need to be decarbonised through a combination of electrification at the building level alongside that of the electricity supply and combined with energy efficiency measures. However, electrification of residential heat, in addition to decarbonation of mobility through electric vehicles (EV), could lead to a 200-300% increase in the UK's annual electricity demand, resulting in serious capacity issues for the electricity supply system. In order to maintain grid supply and stability, the future electrical heating appliances or EV charging loads will need to be remotely controlled and adjusted (knowns as Heat Flex) to better suit the capacity of electricity network infrastructure whilst maintaining substations and feeders within their regulatory and technical limits. In this work we present the learnings gained from online interviews and surveys (N=60) in a first of a kind UK field trial which tests third party remote control of domestic heat pumps (Heat Flex). The responses alongside the online survey from a sample of households (N=4,100) is combined with online focus group discussion (N=120) providing insights on whether households would approve of Heat Flex. Hence, this paper reports on what (i) level of heat deferral (e.g. temperature and time) would be considered acceptable, (ii) required incentivisation strategies and (iii) what factors, such as energy literacy and household composition, were found to influence acceptance of Heat Flex. Initial results indicate that appropriate pathways can be identified to support Heat Flex. The ongoing research, facilitated by the combine samples is also providing guiding principles to optimise the Heat Flex approaches through follow-up online focus group that will further examine the factors influencing household acceptance. Moreover, with demand flexibility is becoming an increasingly significant part of the energy landscape, such as the National Grid ESO’s demand flexibility services and the Cosy Octopus Tariff, our results are providing a pathfinder evidence to inform national energy reduction policies, as well as providing insights of influencing acceptability factors.
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Published date: 16 August 2023
Venue - Dates:
20th International Conference on Sustainble Technologies, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom, 2023-08-15 - 2023-08-17
Keywords:
energy, heat pumps, flexibility, heating, demand reduction, direct control
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 482535
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/482535
PURE UUID: bbdb62ae-f2c5-4a45-adfc-2cc784190de6
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Date deposited: 10 Oct 2023 16:45
Last modified: 11 Oct 2023 01:55
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Contributors
Author:
Philip Turner
Author:
Tom Rushby
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