ETI seeks partners for £3m consumer behaviour study into UK heat consumption
30 March 2012
The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) is seeking partners for a new comprehensive consumer behaviour study into the field of smart system technology and heat. The announcement comes as the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), announces a heat strategy for the country, showing the growing importance of heat efficiency as the UK looks to address its future energy challenges.
The ETI is focused on the acceleration of the development of affordable, clean and secure technologies that will help the UK meet its legally binding 2050 climate change targets. The ETI is currently putting the finishing touches to the design of a new programme that will aim to answer a number of demand and supply side questions to assist in the design of smart energy systems that can minimise the collective impact of more than 60 million people on the UK’s energy system for heat consumption.
The aim of this study is to provide insight into how demand for heat (hot water and space heating) can be controlled to meet consumer needs in both a place and time that they are prepared to pay for and is delivered in the most cost effective and secure way. The findings will help determine further work of the ETI in this area throughout 2012 and beyond.
The ETI has issued a Request for Proposals for interested parties to participate in this study (available here.) The deadline for notification of intention to submit a proposal is May 3 2012 with the closing date for submissions May 25 2012.
Commenting on the project, David Clarke, chief executive of the ETI said: “We are keen to gain a better understanding of UK consumer’s behaviour to plot a clear understanding of the likely demand for heat in this country in the future. This study is to provide that understanding. From these findings we will look towards the design, development and demonstration of new technology to meet these demands in an affordable, clean and secure manner.”