Smart Grid Ready

Smart Grid Ready works by utilising the features of Smart Grids. A Smart Grid is an upgraded version of the traditional electricity network that uses digital technology, sensors, and real-time communication to monitor and manage the flow of electricity. Instead of one-way power flowing from big power stations to homes, a Smart Grid allows two-way flows of both electricity and information between electricity generators, consumers, and storage systems. 

Smart Grids communicate using binary signals; combinations of 0s and 1s, to pass on information, and offer four operational states:

When connected to a Smart Grid, your heat pump can automatically use electricity when it’s cheapest or cleanest to run. Because your home and hot-water cylinder naturally store heat, the system can warm them up when energy is in abundance, such as overnight or during sunny, windy periods, and then ease off when demand (and prices) rise.

These operating states show how a Smart Grid Ready heat pump automatically adjusts its performance based on grid signals. When electricity is scarce, it can reduce output to ease demand and when renewable energy is plentiful, it increases heating or hot water production to make the most of low-cost, low-carbon power. This intelligent control ensures maximum comfort, efficiency, and sustainability without any manual input from the user.

Smart Grids are not a "one size fits all" kind of application. It is unfortunately not as simple as getting in touch with your electricity supplier and asking to be connected to a Smart Grid.

In order to connect to a Smart Grid, there are first a couple of pre-requisites:

1. Have an SG Ready heat pump - all NIBE heat pumps are SG Ready
2. Use a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) platform

Once these steps are in place, you can connect to a Smart Grid as so:

1. Identify the Smart Grid you wish to connect to.
2. If necessary, sign up through the appropriate energy supplier or aggregator. There's no formal Smart Grid application process for domestic users.
3. Speak to your installer about connecting your system to the desired Smart Grid. This can be done either through a wired connection between the HEMS platform and the Smart Grid relay, or using a cloud-based API. It's best to leave this to your installer / electrician, as it can involve re-wiring and changing of important settings.
4. Commission your new Smart Grid connected NIBE heat pump and configure the settings according to your preferences.

Across the UK there are a number of schemes designed to make Smart Grids more accessible. The list below outlines a few schemes and is not exhaustive. The scheme most suitable for you will be dependent on your location and the objectives you have for connecting to a Smart Grid. To find the scheme most suitable for you, it is best to conduct your own research.