'Just enough' sensing to ENLITEN: A preliminary demonstration of sensing strategy for the 'ENergy LIteracy Through an intelligent home ENergy advisor' (ENLITEN) project

The ENLITEN project aims to reduce carbon emissions attributable to energy use within buildings - particularly homes - by understanding and influencing occupants' habits and behaviours with respect to energy use. To achieve this we are developing a system based on a whole building energy model that, uniquely, integrates (i) a thermal model, (ii) a model of occupants' habits and requirements and (iii) a disaggregated model of energy use in the dwelling. A "minimal sensor set" is being identified for delivery of the live data feed to the whole building energy model. This will be complemented by collection and analysis of occupant data that will be used to construct a model of occupants' energy-related attitudes, behaviours and habits. The whole building energy model will contribute to an interactive in-building tool to help occupants identify and break poor energy habits, form better ones and reduce energy demand and carbon emissions. This system is to be deployed in 200 homes for a period of 2 years in the city of Exeter (UK). This poster and demo presents our prototype sensor deployment and the visualisation of live data collected from the trial home group, through which the minimal sensor set is being developed.