Scalable Integrated Multi-Vector Energy Systems (SIM-VES)

The aim of the SIM-VES project is to develop and demonstrate an integrated and readily scalable approach for delivering upgraded heat and power systems within buildings, with a particular focus on optimal control and multi-vector energy storage.

As the existing stock decarbonisation progresses, low hanging fruit interventions have been largely exhausted, especially when it comes to the social housing stock which is subject to significant Government investment. Those properties remaining in the social stock are generally hard to treat or in the case of privately held stock, differ significantly from the social stock in that their starting energy efficiency is significantly lower as a starting point. With fabric interventions less likely to occur as a first step measure there is a need for a different approach to delivering high impact upgrade across significant portfolios of buildings dispersed across the country. SIM-VES takes a systems first approach to energy upgrade by enhancing interoperability of the most common systems households need to adopt when considering their net zero trajectory. SIM-VES aggregates and integrates heat pumps, novel long-term compact and steady state thermal storage, batteries, photovoltaics, and controls technology into an interoperable modular system with predictive capabilities to better respond to occupant demands, energy system requirements and cost points to manage energy, heat and power at building, community or national level.

The SIM-VES approach aims to deliver:

* User benefits: significantly lower energy bills and carbon emissions for consumers, without compromising comfort; security of power and heat stored at point of use.
* Grid/Network benefits: peak demand reduction enabling significant reduction in grid carbon intensity, avoidance of green energy curtailment, and reduced or offset infrastructure investment..
* Installer benefits: Simplified specification and installation pathway, unlocking delivery at scale.
* National benefits: New commercial opportunities through delivery of a scalable retrofit solution for retrofit; potential for significant carbon reduction impact.