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ENERGY EFFICIENCY


Why smarter controls are the answer to energy efficiency


The role of smart and flexible electricity systems is taking centre stage in supporting the UK’s transition to decarbonisation and reducing bills. With the UK Government’s Clean Power Action Plan aiming to deliver cleaner, more affordable electricity by 2030, the need for new innovation in energy management has never been greater. Ian Rose, sales & strategy director at Passiv UK explains


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s the demand for electricity continues to rise – driven by the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, heat pumps, and other


renewable energy sources – the way we generate, distribute and consume power must also evolve. While advancements in cleaner technologies bring immense benefits, they also introduce new challenges, such as increased strain on the grid and fluctuations in supply. Without a flexible and intelligent system to manage energy demand, we risk overloading the grid, leading to inefficiencies, higher costs, and potential disruptions. One of the most promising solutions to these


challenges is Demand Side Response (DSR) technology, which is transforming the way we balance supply and demand, enabling temporary adjustments in electricity consumption to maintain grid stability while unlocking cost savings for consumers. Demand flexibility itself is not a new concept. Network operators have been relying on it for decades to help balance electricity supply and demand and prevent blackouts. However, up until recently, energy flexibility from homes has been small-scale compared to the energy shifting capabilities achieved in industry. This is going to have to change. As the UK works


towards full decarbonisation, the adoption of heat pumps is set to increase significantly, supported by a government target of 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028. When combined with greater reliance on intermittent renewable energy sources, this shift poses a significant challenge to ensure the UK has a reliable electricity supply to meet demand Take heat pumps, for example. Heat pumps


typically consume most power during cold winter evenings – times when demand is high and there’s no sun in the sky for solar panels to utilise. However, they also offer households a great opportunity to earn extra cash, with a unique potential for flexible operation. Heat itself is an energy source which can be effectively stored and, if carefully managed, this doesn’t need to result in a cold home. To truly unlock the potential of our energy networks, we must go beyond traditional approaches and reimagine electric appliances as dynamic grid resources. Ofgem1


estimates that up


to 60GW of flexibility from low-carbon technologies will be required by 2050. By automating high- power thermal assets, we can deliver reliable,


Left: Ian Rose, sales & strategy director at Passiv UK


large-scale DSR for network operators and suppliers. Smart controls, like the Passiv Smart Thermostat,


can uniquely access the opportunities offered by DSR - it automatically responds to signals based on the needs of the wider electricity network, to reduce demand whilst using smart preheating to make sure the home doesn’t noticeably cool down. Passiv also launched Greener Grid Payments – the UK’s first fully automated Demand Side Response (DSR) service for heat pump owners. This type of technology will be a gamechanger


for homeowners. As the heating industry continues to evolve with low-carbon technologies, customers are also shifting from passive consumers to ‘prosumers’, selling and controlling their own energy. Research indicates that smart heat pump controls alone can reduce energy bills by over £50 million annually2


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Automated flexibility enables consumers to engage with the energy system seamlessly, monetising flexibility services through Time of Use


(ToU) tariffs and local carbon-saving optimisations. This approach transforms heat pumps from energy- intensive devices into crucial components of a smart, resilient energy system. The future of UK energy rests on how intelligently we use it. By embracing smart controls and automated flexibility, we can create a more efficient, cost-effective, and low-carbon energy system, one that benefits homeowners, supports grid stability, and accelerates the UK’s transition to a cleaner future.


1.Ofgem consultation on Engaging Customers in Domestic Flexibility 2. LCP Delta: Quantifying the heat flexibility gap


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