What is Demand Side Response?
The Research
In order to meet Net Zero 2050, the way we build is going to have change, and the smart management of energy in homes and buildings and integration with the Grid is going to be key to this. So how can we make homes significantly more energy efficient?
Our research has demonstrated how domestic Demand Side Response (DSR) can be delivered in practice as part of the solution, essentially by “time-shifting” energy demand from homes to better align with when energy is being generated - helping provide “balancing” for the National Grid.
This process reduced peak demand for electricity – which in turn helps reduce home energy costs as well as reducing carbon emissions.
Standing for Fixed Level Affordable Tariffs Led By Intelligently Networked Energy, FLATLINE this is the largest domestic DSR trial of its kind to have been undertaken in the UK, and demonstrates what can be achieved and the impacts on energy use and costs, which will no doubt pave the way for how we think about homes, energy and integration with the Grid moving forward.
Supported by the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the pilot was tested in 20 homes at The Mill in Cardiff and Parc Eirin in Tonyrefail.
The findings from the project have demonstrated how energy demand from homes can be “time-shifted” to better align with when energy is being generated. The DSR process can reduce peak demand for electricity and energy costs, as well as reducing carbon emissions.
To achieve this, the project used low/zero carbon technologies (such as ground source heat pumps, thermal and electrical storage and photovoltaic generation) and smart controls to operate these to help balance the demand to the National Grid.
The key findings from the project include:
- Successful avoidance of peak demand periods: through battery charging during low demand and utilising excess solar generation.
- Reduced energy bills: cost savings of around £220 per year for each home - roughly a 25% reduction.
- Reduced carbon emissions: average carbon emissions saving of 71.2 tCO₂/year - which could be increased by a further 4-6% due to DSR (an average of 46-66kg per home annually).
You can read more about the research and results on the FLATLINE webpage here - http://www.seroprojects.com/flatline-project/