One of the key solutions envisaged within WS3 Transform Model is Domestic Demand Side Response. In essence this is the ability to remotely control loads on the network through direct control, price signals and planned load shifting. This technique could provide additional network control at times of peak loading, allowing high loads to be actively managed and potentially deferring system reinforcement. With the advent of low carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles and heat pumps, this functionality could become increasingly important as heating and transportation become more reliant on electricity.

While the WS3 Transform Model is being used extensively for investment planning purposes, there is limited data on the effectiveness of domestic demand side response. The technology solutions required are unproven and there is limited evidence as to what appliances are best directly controlled. Consumer attitudes and acceptance is also unknown, including the level of incentives required to drive behaviour change.

Project ECHO will look will utilise a number of off-the-shelf interactive plug-in devices that will facilitate the scheduling of loads for individual domestic appliances at two hundred premises. A range of incentives will be trialled with statistically representative groups and monitoring undertaken to gauge take-up of demand response events.

Objectives

The project will recruit 200 domestic premises to trial a number of DDSR scenarios and meet the following objectives:

• To understand the scale and structure of payments required to ensure behavioural change

• To quantify the potential changes in peak load through domestic demand response

• To identify the scope for long term enduring demand response services

• To evaluate which domestic devices offer the greatest potential load reduction / deferment

• To ascertain customer appetite in relation to deferment of load The benefits of the scheme will be a report updating the assumptions in the WS3 Transform Model associated with domestic demand response.