CoolDown Alpha
CoolDown Alpha project
CoolDown will, for the first time, explore the impact of space cooling on network capacity. Improved uptake and demand projections will be produced, and novel commercial models will be developed to incentivise and unlock space cooling flexibility. This will reduce network reinforcement requirements and optimise value for customers.
Electricity North West began delivery of this six-month project in October 2024 alongside partners Guidehouse Europe, UCL Consultants Limited, Oaktree Power Limited, Impact Research Ltd and National Grid Electricity Distribution PLC.
The Alpha phase will:
- Provide a greater understanding of space cooling uptake in Great Britain and space cooling demand response across a series of building archetypes.
- Explore the impact on a large sample of our substations including the impact of load diversity, the relationship between other low carbon technologies and the impact on wider network forecasting.
- Undertake customer focus groups, in-depth interviews, and quantitative online survey of 1,000 energy customers to gain insight into consumer understanding of cooling technologies and the potential for uptake and demand response participation.
- Engage with customers, suppliers, and flexibility aggregators to develop commercial arrangements.
- Explore passive cooling from ground source heat pumps as an alternative or supplement to cooling demand response.
- Conduct a network cost benefit analysis to determine estimates for financial, environmental, and societal benefits.
- Define high level criteria and logistic requirements for a future trial using the learning from stakeholder engagement. This includes location, commercial arrangements, and customer engagement approach.
For more information, please see the project page on ENA's Smarter Networks Portal.
This page will be updated with any project learning as we progress through the SIF process
All project learning from the Alpha phase can be found in the library below.