Projects

Started

Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Architecture and the Built Environment)

Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy

Project Contact
Electricity North West Limited

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 May 2025

30 June 2026

ENA months

£680,616

Power

North West

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Electricity North West Limited

The project will demonstrate, on a laboratory test rig, the minimum viable product of the NZT HEMS using the architecture model developed during the previous SIF projects, enabling the integration of the components to be proven.The system models and functional requirements for the CEMS will be developed further ensuring there is adequate control to maintain network stability, e.g. when a constraint signal is sent, assets will be curtailed to ensure thermal or voltage limits are not exceeded.The planning model will be developed further to understand the locations where the solution could be deployed.Additionally, the digital customer journey will be further explored and recommended enhancements will be made to the customer interface using the Fairer Warmth system.Measurement Quality Statement: Measurement quality is a key part of this project, and steps will be taken to assure an appropriate standard is achieved. A test specification will determine the test criteria and inform the test schedule. Testing will be witnessed, and the outputs and documentation will be reviewed against the agreed test schedule. This process will provide assurance and report on compliance with the data quality objectives.Testing undertaken during this project will follow best practise, ensuring that measurements are subject to validation and verification. Data Quality Statement:Data generated and/or processed in the course of this project will be reviewed to provide assurance that outputs meet the required standards. Data will be managed in line with the RIIO ED2 Data Best Practice Guidance and Data Assurance Guidance.This project does not plan to undertake any processing of personal data. The project will establish and test a MVP of the NZT HEMS solution including defining the key elements of the MVP, producing the specification for the HEMS, testing it in a laboratory environment and developing the functional requirements for the CEMS.The project will also appraise options for future deployment of NZT by assessing areas of the network where the solution could be deployed.Additionally, the project will develop the digital solutions required to improve the customer journey including data management governance.Benefits of NZTThe counterfactual to NZT is the disparate, uncoordinated replacement of gas boilers with electric boilers, adding an estimated 12kW per property which is a significant increase in the local network demand.The CBA, based on 5 substations, shows that benefits of up to 16.95m can be realised based on a 20 year NPV and a penetration rate of 80-100%.Extrapolating this estimated NPV for all of ENWL area, and assuming ENWLs spread of terraced homes is reasonably typical of other DNO areas, a 20 year NPV of up to 189,508m is estimated across GB. The objectives are:Demonstrate, in a laboratory environment, the HEMS MVPDevelop the system models and functional requirements enabling integration of the components.Develop the planning model to understand the locations where the solution could be deployed.Develop the digital customer journey.

The overarching Net Zero Terrace (NZT) concept uses the DNO network to decarbonise terraced housing by producing a community-led Smart Local Energy System (SLES) appropriate for those that might otherwise be left behind. NZT enables terraced communities across GB to decarbonise by increasing up-take of heat pumps, reducing costs to customers and deferring network reinforcement.This NIA project represents a key step in the demonstration of the NZT overarching solution by developing the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for the Home Energy Management System (HEMS) and testing interoperability, creating the specification for the Community Energy Management System (CEMS) and further developing the tools for the customer journey as well as improving understanding of data flows and building data governance strategy.

24/04/26