Three hundred smart fridges will be delivered across the UK in the coming months in order to carry out what will be Europe’s first residential trial of smart grid technology. A similar trial, this time with heat pumps “talking” to the grid is set to take place in 2011 in Denmark. Allowing for electricity demand-side management, the technology has the potential to realise sizeable CO2 emissions reductions.
Smart energy houses of the future will encompass intelligent appliances such as smart fridges or heat pumps that can respond to signals from the electricity grid system. Electric utilities, manufacturers of appliances and companies developing smart grid technologies are now trialing the technology within the residential environment using fridges and heat pumps, appliances that may also incorporate hydrocarbon refrigerants.
Smart fridges trial in the UK
Following the initial delivery of the 300 “intelligent” fridges in the coming months, up to 3,000 units will be trialed over the next two years in the UK. This is a joint project between energy company npower (part of electricity and gas company RWE Group), social landlord Sandwell Homes, white goods company Indesit and smart grid technology developer RLtec. Different models of smart fridges designed so that temperatures do not rise or fall out of a set range will be tested.
Without compromising the appliance performance or the freshness of food, these “intelligent” fridges will be able to respond to signals from the electricity grid and for example shut down when energy demand is at its highest, hence reducing demand from power stations. This is possible thanks to dynamic demand technology, which monitors second-by-second changes to demand on the national grid.
UK government studies estimate that CO2 emissions could be cut by 2 million tonnes per year if every UK home was fitted with a smart fridge.
Smart heat pumps trial in Denmark
The future direction towards smart grids for a reliable energy supply was discussed at this month’s annual conference of the European Heat Pump Association. A representative of the Danish electricity transmission system operator discussed heat pumps as an enabling technology for larger integration of wind power generation in Denmark.
In order to be able to move to a system with 50% wind, a flexible demand for electricity would be needed, i.e. making consumers respond to electricity prices. Similar to electric vehicles, heat pumps can also play this role in the energy system.
To test both technology aspects and consumer behaviour, the most crucial elements in achieving flexible electricity demand, a demonstration project in 300 homes will take place in Denmark in 2011, whereby heat pumps will be equipped with meters and sensors that will allow them to “speak” with the electricity system. The demonstration project will be run by Energinet.dk together with the Danish Energy Saving Trust and the Danish Energy Agency, with the participation of the Danish Technological Institute and major retail electricity companies.
Smart fridges trial in the UK
Following the initial delivery of the 300 “intelligent” fridges in the coming months, up to 3,000 units will be trialed over the next two years in the UK. This is a joint project between energy company npower (part of electricity and gas company RWE Group), social landlord Sandwell Homes, white goods company Indesit and smart grid technology developer RLtec. Different models of smart fridges designed so that temperatures do not rise or fall out of a set range will be tested.
Without compromising the appliance performance or the freshness of food, these “intelligent” fridges will be able to respond to signals from the electricity grid and for example shut down when energy demand is at its highest, hence reducing demand from power stations. This is possible thanks to dynamic demand technology, which monitors second-by-second changes to demand on the national grid.
UK government studies estimate that CO2 emissions could be cut by 2 million tonnes per year if every UK home was fitted with a smart fridge.
Smart heat pumps trial in Denmark
The future direction towards smart grids for a reliable energy supply was discussed at this month’s annual conference of the European Heat Pump Association. A representative of the Danish electricity transmission system operator discussed heat pumps as an enabling technology for larger integration of wind power generation in Denmark.
In order to be able to move to a system with 50% wind, a flexible demand for electricity would be needed, i.e. making consumers respond to electricity prices. Similar to electric vehicles, heat pumps can also play this role in the energy system.
To test both technology aspects and consumer behaviour, the most crucial elements in achieving flexible electricity demand, a demonstration project in 300 homes will take place in Denmark in 2011, whereby heat pumps will be equipped with meters and sensors that will allow them to “speak” with the electricity system. The demonstration project will be run by Energinet.dk together with the Danish Energy Saving Trust and the Danish Energy Agency, with the participation of the Danish Technological Institute and major retail electricity companies.
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May 31, 2010, 12:57
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