EDF trials drones and AI to streamline heat pump installations
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British energy supplier EDF will use drones, AI and smart meter analytics to create ‘heat pump ready’ roadmaps.
EDF in the UK has said they will trial drone technology, AI and analytics to provide customers with a blueprint and steps required to streamline heat pump installations.
According to EDF, currently 12% of their customers looking to instal heat pumps are unable to proceed due to inadequate levels of home insulation.
Looking to address this is EDF’s Sojourner project, which will provide customers with a personalised roadmap, showing recommended actions, such as loft and wall cavity insulation needed to increase home suitability for heat pump installation.
Starting in January with over 500 customers, the trial aims to minimise pre-heat-pump-instal visits and streamline the heat pump installation process.
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Under the trial, a drone will take a thermal image of a customer’s property and, utilising AI as well as analytics, combines smart meter and local weather data and the EPC rating to produce a visual tool.
This will act as a homeowner’s guide, providing recommended actions, advice, pricing, funding options as well as recommended contractors to complete the work.
EDF’s Research and Development team is leading the project, developing the technology in collaboration with AI startup Kestrix, while funding is provided by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
Commenting in a release was Patrick Dupeyrat, R&D director at EDF: “We need to do all we can to make heat pumps as accessible as possible for our customers because we know an air source heat pump can be over 300% more efficient than a standard gas boiler, potentially saving you money on your heating bills.
“This trial will look at ways to remove obstacles on a timeline which works for customers, so they are ready to act when the time comes to replace their boiler. This minimises pre-heat pump install visits, reducing customer cost and streamlines the process and once again shows our commitment to help customers save cash and carbon.”
Added Lucy Lyons, CEO at Kestrix: “The consortium is greater than the sum of its parts – by blending innovation in resident engagement, financing, and product offering, it makes the path to heat pump readiness clear, engaging, and digitised for the first time, democratising access to information and facilitating a faster transition to net zero homes in the UK.”
