Developing the smart meter requirements for an effective UK system of in-use building thermal performance metrics

The event represents the first step in considering the factors affecting the implementation and potential use of smart meter data to enhance building thermal performance metrics. The workshop discussed the Smart Meter Enabled Thermally Efficiency Rating (SMETER) programme which aimed to develop smart meter tools and evaluate their performance against full-scale building performance field tests. The workshop explored issues of accuracy, reliability and validity of in-use thermal performance metrics and their ability to feed into thermal efficiency ratings of buildings and Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).

Professor Chris Gorse Director of the Leeds Sustainability Institute at Leeds Beckett University said: “The findings and discussions emerging from the SMETER Programme are encouraging and the result of a very successful collaboration with Loughborough University, UCL and Halton Housing.  The SMETER Technical Assessment team provided the test bed for those successful in the BEIS Innovation competition. Innovative smart meter technologies from the Building Research Establishment, EDF, Hoare Lea LLP, Centre for Sustainable Energy, PassivSystems, Build Test Solutions, Switchee, Car and Knauf Energy Solutions were all evaluated as part of the programme and have provided considerable insight into the current and future potential of in-use smart monitoring.”

The outputs from the workshop include a summary workshop report, presentation slides and a recording of the TEST presentation of SMETER results and will help to inform future policy, research and innovation agendas focused on thermal performance metrics such as HTCs, including the development of a plan for future implementation.

Important Links

• In-use thermal performance metrics workshop: 12 April 2021 Executive summary (PDF)
• SMETER workshop introduction TEST slides and intro session (PDF)
• SMETER session presentations (PDF)