Energy Systems Catapult to deliver the ETI’s Smart Systems and Heat Programme

The Energy Systems Catapult is celebrating after taking on delivery of the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) Smart Systems and Heat (SSH) Programme, which is the Catapult’s first major project.

The Energy Systems Catapult is the UK’s technology and innovation centre set up to support companies and Government for the development of new products and services to address the new commercial opportunities created by the transformation of UK and global energy systems (covering electricity, heat and combustible gases).

The Catapult will deliver Phase One of the programme as a supplier to the ETI following the transition of the ETI’s SSH programme team to the Catapult. From 2017 the Catapult will be responsible for delivery of Phase Two of the programme independently of the ETI.

The ETI’s SSH programme aims to create future-proof and economic local heating solutions for the UK, by connecting together the understanding of consumer needs and behaviour with the development and integration of technologies and new business models into enhanced knowledge to deliver industry and investor confidence to implement changes in heat provision in the UK.

Philip New, the CEO of the Energy Systems Catapult is excited by the potential of the SSH programme, as he says: ‘The programme provides the foundation for location-specific energy systems design that should help deliver low carbon heating for the UK out to 2050 and beyond. This programme fits really well with the aims and approaches of the Catapult, and with the transition of the team from the ETI I am confident that the programme will be a continued success.

Phase One will see the SSH team at the Catapult working with three local authorities (Bridgend, Greater Manchester & Newcastle) to create the capability to deliver local area energy plans specific to their communities. The programme will also undertake a number of consumer behaviour, technology development, business modelling and supply-chain activities to create heat supply and demand products and services that meet consumer needs.

In Phase Two of the programme, the plan is to undertake a demonstration of the designed local smart energy systems to prove the concept and methodology, importantly proving that the capability and approach can be adopted nationally, providing an evidence base for future supportive policy.

The CEO of the ETI, David Clarke adds: ‘The decarbonisation of heat is one of the key technology challenges facing the UK in any move to a low carbon energy system. To do this effectively and economically the country has to develop solutions that work at an individual and location level. This programme is exploring what needs to be done and the transfer of this capability to the Catapult allows for this important work to continue beyond the end of our current operating model in 2017.’