Case studies

The Smart Flex Heat Pump Trial is a trial working with households across Oxfordshire, aiming to learn whether using smart technology to control domestic heat pumps can deliver flexibility to the local energy network as well as benefits to homeowners.  It came out of the Deddington and Duns Tew Smart and Fair Neighbourhood Trial (more…

Aiming to optimise the use of large solar PV arrays on multiple domestic rooftops in order to maximise generation, deliver a net positive development and mitigate risks to the local network operations.

Developing a digital tool to accelerate the transition to net zero energy system.  Background Digitalisation will be a key element in developing smart local energy systems. From individual households that will make use of smart-enabled appliances through to large scale renewable energy generation sites such as solar parks, smart technology will be crucial in the…

This trial aims to explore the role and impact individual households can have in a smart local energy system and delivering flexibility services.  Background Households are at the centre of the local energy system for their sheer number and, most importantly, because it’s where people live. The transformation of the energy system to zero carbon…

The batteries at Oxford Bus Company’s Cowley Depot were utilised in trials to better understand how energy storage can benefit, and operate within, a local flexibility market. Background The Oxford Bus Company (OBC) operates a fleet of 160 buses and coaches with the lowest emissions for its size in the UK, with roughly half being…

This trial aims to learn if it’s possible to use buildings as batteries to provide flexibility to the electricity network. Background Project LEO is investigating how buildings can be used as batteries to provide flexibility in a low carbon future. LEO partners, Oxfordshire County Council and the University of Oxford, are working together to test…

This trial aims to understand how a small battery can provide flexibility to the energy network. Background Rose Hill is a residential area on the Southern outskirts of Oxford. The road is part of a historic route from Oxford to London via Henley, running parallel to the river Isis (the name of the Thames in…

This trial is looking to see if we can use the river as energy storage and provide flexibility to the energy network. Background Sandford Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant on the River Thames near the village of Sandford, just south of Oxford. In 2016 Low Carbon Hub opened a community energy share offer and…

Oxford Brookes University has brought together spatial and temporal visualisation of local energy flows to develop a local area energy mapping approach (LEMAP) for planning smart and fair neighbourhoods. The LEMAP tool has been designed for community based organisations, local authorities and residents. It brings together public, private and crowd-sourced data on energy demand, energy…

Looking at how a largely residential community with several energy assets, including battery storage, can change energy use patterns, generation and storage to balance the grid locally and benefit the local community.

Developing a ‘Zero Carbon Energy Action Plan’ for the Eynsham primary substation area plus a plan for its long-term governance.

Looking at how with the existing solar and onshore wind farms, along with potential battery storage, they could participate in local flexibility markets.