AI-powered smart homes could save the energy industry £2.5 billion by 2030, according to new data from Kaluza.
The energy tech firm found that smart devices such as smart heating and electric vehicle (EV) chargers connected to the grid via intelligent technology could provide 25TWh of flexible charging capacity per year.
This could then be used to capture intermittent generation and balance the grid, equating to 20% of total annual wind generation expected in 2030.
This is based on predictions of two million smart heating systems and 11 million EV chargers present in UK homes by 2030, and would mean providers wouldn’t have to pay wind farms to switch off during periods of excess generation, resulting in the cost savings.
Kaluza pointed to how over £100 million has been paid annually to switch off turbines since 2016 during these periods. However, the energy industry would not be the only one to benefit from the cost savings, with smart homes having the potential to save consumers up to £400 annually.
This is in addition to other cost savings made through things like investing in insulation and making use of the Green Homes Grant.
Earlier this week, Kaluza also announced it had partnered Vento Ludens to bid its Muirake wind farm into National Grid ESO’s Optional Downward Flexibility Management service.
Kaluza stated that this well help it establish how distributed generation can be used as a “meaningful resource” at a whole system level.
It is currently running a trial looking into the use of electrified heating to provide the grid with flexibility along with Dimplex and EDF.