Energy supplier E.ON has unveiled plans to use satellites orbiting the Earth to find the UK’s worst-hit areas for fuel poverty.
The firm has teamed up with the European Space Agency (ESA) and observation specialist Astrosat for the scheme to use satellite imaging technology to track energy efficiency measures.
It will use near real-time data, including thermal infrared for heat mapping and pollution-tracking, to identify issues such as low housing insulation, poor air quality and traffic management.
E.ON said it will provide local authorities and even entire cities with a street-level view of where improvements are most needed.
E.ON and Astrosat will develop the project with the support of the ESA over 18 months including a city-scale trial, with it aimed to be ready for UK trials by Q3 next year.
Current energy efficiency programmes rely on door-to-door visits in order to discuss customers’ needs but the new project will allow a “bigger and more accurate” picture to be created more quickly.
The firm hopes to roll out the project across other countries once the UK trial has been completed.
UK 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 £6bn energy efficiency ECO scheme – the sky’s the limit.”
E.ON CEO Michael Lewis said: “This truly innovative and exciting project is about harnessing the power of space, alongside our experience working with local authorities and delivering real change in terms of fuel poverty and carbon emissions, to help reduce heat loss and unnecessary energy expenditure in regional areas across the UK.
“This is a UK trial at this stage but all involved have the ambition to prove the benefits across countries and continents to help create a better tomorrow.”
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