UK Power Networks, OVO Energy, and clean tech company tepeo partnered to study how tepeo’s Zero Emission Boiler interacts with the electricity network — helping UK Power Networks use its infrastructure more efficiently and enabling OVO to develop cost-saving customer solutions.
What is the project about?
As we move towards a net zero future, the decarbonisation of heat played a key role in that transition. However, when it comes to heat, everyone has different needs and requirements, and there was no one-size-fits-all solution. In NeatHeat, UK Power Networks aimed to explore an alternative clean heating solution that ensured no one was left behind in the sustainable transition.
How we’re doing it
In NeatHeat, we aimed to support up to 30 households on their decarbonisation journey by trialling tepeo’s innovative Zero Emission Boiler over the course of a year. We replaced customers’ existing heating systems and upgraded them with a Zero Emission Boiler (ZEB). By doing so, we were able to assess the compatibility of this solution and identify the challenges some customers might face.
Throughout the trial, we monitored the performance of the ZEB to understand charging patterns and test various optimisation mechanisms that could provide flexibility to the network. We also engaged with participants at all stages of the process to gather feedback and better understand customer needs. Additionally, we tested a first-of-its-kind “Type-of-Use Tariff” that allowed customers to use clean heat at a lower cost.
What makes it innovative
The Zero Emission Boilers were a net zero alternative to gas or oil boilers, providing the same heating service without the associated emissions. The boiler functioned like a battery, efficiently storing heat until needed and charging at the cheapest and greenest times of the day, helping households reduce their energy usage and bills. The innovative “Type-of-Use Tariff” removed the burden from customers when it came to heating their homes. The energy supplier worked with the Distribution System Operator to optimise the charging of the ZEB, allowing customers to enjoy a warm, sustainably heated home.
What we’re learning
By delivering this project, we gained insight into the impact on the network, allowing us to maximise its utilisation. We also assessed how charging could be optimised to reduce operational costs and deliver the best service to customers. Ultimately, all of this helped ensure we could support the decarbonisation of heat and enable a cost-effective transition for both customers and the network.
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