Reduced energy use

Loughborough University is playing a key role in a new £0.57m project aimed at significantly reducing the amount of energy consumed by UK households.

The indeedNET (Integration and Demonstration of Energy Efficient Dwelling Networks) project will focus on the development of a high tech wireless home energy management system. This will enable households to monitor and control their energy use when they are at the property and when they are away from home.

The system will take into account weather conditions, such as temperature, rain and light levels outside, to provide the optimum home environment using the least amount of energy. This will include reducing or switching off the central heating system, opening or closing windows and controlling lighting.

As well as being able to manage their home environment from within the property, the system will also allow users to securely and safely control their home remotely from anywhere in the world using a mobile device such as a mobile phone or laptop.

'This project will aim to reduce domestic energy use for every family home in the UK by 40 percent. Not only will this be better for the environment, it will also help homeowners to significantly reduce their energy bills,' said Shuang-Hua Yang, Prof of Networks and Control in the University’s Department of Computer Science.

The system will be demonstrated at a purpose-built test house based at the University campus.

IndeedNET is being funded by the Department for Trade and Industry. The project leader is Advantica Limited and other project partners include East Midlands Housing Association and SURE Technology.

For further information, visit the indeedNET website at http://www.indeednet.org