The project will use near real-time and archived data gathered from orbiting satellites – including optical sources, thermal-infrared for heat mapping and air quality and pollution tracking – which will combine with Astrosat’s ThermCERT software to help tackle issues such as housing condition and insulation, air quality, and even traffic management.
When cross-matched with existing housing or data on vulnerable customers, the unique platform will provide local authorities and even entire cities with a street-level view of where improvements are most needed. This means they can better target their approaches to upgrading housing stock, optimizing energy efficiency installations, improving air quality or easing congestion across communities.
Current energy efficiency programs often rely on door-to-door visits or doorstep mailings in order to talk directly to customers and analyze their specific needs. The large amount of data which can be captured using satellite technology means a bigger and more accurate picture can be created quickly, which improves the success rate of installation works.
During the project, E.ON and Astrosat, with the support of ESA, will develop the system for around 18 months, including a city-scale trial. ESA’s ambition is for space data to unlock greater business and societal opportunities and E.ON’s scale across Europe creates the potential to roll out the project across other countries once the UK trial has successfully concluded.
The UK is a founding member of ESA and, through the UK Space Agency, invests more in its Business Applications program than any other country in Europe.
Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark, said, “This government-backed technology could boldly go where no technician in a van has gone before, with the potential to pinpoint households in fuel poverty or those at risk. Matched with government data, this heat mapping technology could mean less time spent on the road and more time dedicated to upgrading homes though our £6 billion energy efficiency ECO scheme – the sky’s the limit. This is our modern Industrial Strategy in motion, with our world-leading space sector showing how innovation can deliver practical solutions to real-life issues.”
Nick Appleyard, Head of the Downstream Business Applications Department at the European Space Agency, added, “Our Business Applications program is dedicated to supporting space-enhanced services with two objectives: to generate growth for the industrial partners, and to benefit society at large. ThermCERT checks both of these boxes. We have a two-pronged approach to supporting the green energy revolution. Initiatives like ThermCERT show how space assets can help to reduce costs and improve energy efficiency in existing neighbourhoods. In parallel, we are open to proposals for space services that help to create Green Neighbourhoods by improving their initial design.”
In its first iteration, the platform helps to locate and provide targeted support for the most vulnerable individuals in society. Future iterations will leverage the growing wealth of high resolution commercial data that is now coming online.
E.ON and Astrosat expect the product to be ready for use in a UK pilot by Q3 2019.
