Transforming our energy system: energy demand flexibility from smart meter data

The electrification of heat and transport will lead to significant changes to the energy system, requiring transformative, system-wide action on energy flexibility. Electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps (HPs) significantly increase household electricity demand, but their impact on demand and system flexibility requirements has not yet been studied at scale. Flexibility in energy demand and the potential impacts of these emerging technologies are hot topics in research, policymaking and industry. For example, the use of variable pricing (designed to incentivise demand flexibility) requires a careful balance and safeguards between achieving needed demand reductions and penalising consumers, particularly the fuel poor.

This project will explore energy use in UK homes, how this is expected to change in the future and the potential for flexibility in demand. You will analyse data from the Smart Energy Research Laboratory (SERL), building data analytics and machine learning skills, to study demand from EVs and HPs on a previously unprecedented scale. You will join a leading research team who will support your research, with additional training provided by the ERBE CDT to enable you to better understand the sector and build core skills, enabling you to transfer skills in from a different first subject background.