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What opportunities arise in an emerging market for home-based energy management technology?

Ben Woodman — March 2011

Emerging Issue: The market for home-based technology options, with the potential to mitigate rising retail energy costs for the consumer, is now emerging. Alternatives include Combined Heat & Power (CHP) products, solar PV and hot water, heat and energy storage, and simpler energy efficiency measures like efficient lighting, insulation and double glazing – all of which can be used alone or in conjunction with energy from the grid with or without a variable tariff structure.

To calculate the unique costs and benefits to the householder of any combination of these options, typically requires forecasting gas and electricity prices; and in the case of devices such as CHPs, the product’s efficiency and capacity factors, and its lifetime purchase, installation and running costs. Even discounting the further impact of emissions, this is a hugely complex task for the average consumer.

Does a market opportunity exist to ‘broker’ the most effective suite of energy products and services for each consumer circumstance – in much the same way as for home loan options? If a regulator or government party steps in to mandate standards, what requirements might this put upon vendors, suppliers and service providers to demonstrate the end-benefits to consumers?

MHC will explore these scenarios in the next edition of QSI.

Get in touch with the author — Ben Woodman »

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