Glasgow-based SMS plc, an energy solutions firm, is leading a consortium for a new research project aiming to demonstrate how smart meter systems can be used to develop Internet of Things (IoT) enabled solutions for UK households.

Consumers could benefit from intelligently generated energy efficiency insights to reduce their home heating bills during the cost of living crisis.

Tom Woolley, Smart Product and Strategy Director at SMS said: “This exciting project is yet another great opportunity to show how the smart meter system can be used as a platform for innovation. Through the ongoing smart meter rollout, the UK Government, network operator Smart DCC, and industry pioneers like SMS are helping establish a digital backbone for the UK energy industry.

The trail, backed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) proposes to access a temperature sensor that is built into a smart meter’s in-home display to record real-time temperature data.

The temperature data along with corresponding outside temperature data obtained from weather reports, will be compared with consumption data from gas smart meters to then make accurate calculations of home heat efficiency.

SMS will use n3rgy, the energy data platform, to gain consumer consent to record data.

Heat transfer coefficient algorithms then analyse homes’ historic gas usage data to create different archetype groups and benchmarks.

Tailored advice and solutions can then be presented to consumers via an app suggesting how to use energy more cost effectively.

Recommendations on specific energy efficiency upgrade options will also be identified and offered to each home, including necessary fabric improves and more sustainable heating systems.

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“This particular study will look at new ways of proving how our national, secure, and interoperable smart meter ecosystem can be used for more than just energy data,” Woolley expanded.

“The use case we have identified will enable a low-cost, mass-market opportunity using existing technologies to assess the heat loss coefficient of a property.

“In turn, we anticipate we will be able to intelligently identify solutions for homeowners, such as modelling the impact a heat pump would have in their home, as well as offering more practical advice on home energy efficiency.”

Also working with SMS on the project is Chameleon Technology, which built the temperature sensor in display devices. Ivie smart energy app will be utilised as part of the trial as well, to deliver insights to customers. Green Energy UK, the independent energy supplier, is also a consortium partner.

The project is part of BEIS’s new Smart Meter-based Internet of Things Applications Programme, which aims to support innovation to determine the feasibility of, and trial, the use of IoT sensor devices within the smart meter system.

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