A consortium led by Scottish energy firm SMS has received UK government support for a research project that aims to demonstrate how a smart meter can be used to develop IoT-enabled savings for households.

By using a temperature sensor built into the smart meter in-home display (IHD), the project aims to show how consumers can benefit from intelligently generated energy efficiency insights for reducing home heating bills.

The trial, backed by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), proposes to access a temperature sensor that is built into a smart meter’s IHD to record real-time temperature data within consumers’ homes. The temperature data, along with corresponding outside temperature data obtained from weather reports, will then be compared with the related consumption data from gas smart meters to make a highly accurate calculation of home heat efficiency.

SMS will use the energy data platform from N3rgy, its subsidiary company, to capture consumer consent to record the data. Heat transfer coefficient algorithms then analyse homes’ historic gas usage data to create different archetype groups and benchmarks. Tailored advice can then be presented to consumers via an app suggesting how to use energy more cost effectively.

Recommendations on specific energy efficiency upgrade options, such as necessary fabric improvements and suitability for more sustainable heating systems, will also be identified and offered to each home.

Working alongside SMS on the project is smart energy technology company Chameleon Technology. Chameleon’s IHD with built in temperature sensor is already being deployed as part of the national smart meter rollout, while the company’s Ivie smart energy app will be used as part of the trial to deliver insights to customers. Independent energy supplier Green Energy completes the consortium of partners.

The project is part of BEIS’s smart meter-based IoT 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.

“This exciting project is yet another great opportunity to show how the smart meter system can be used as a platform for innovation,” said Tom Woolley, smart product and strategy director at SMS. “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. 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.”

The use case should 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,” said Woolley.