Pinpointing where energy-efficiency measures are needed most

Problem: In 2017, approximately 11% of households in England faced fuel poverty, and this percentage is set to increase dramatically with increasing fuel costs. Addressing this issue can be challenging, however, as at-risk households are not always easy to identify. Traditional energy efficiency monitoring programmes rely on door-knocking or bulk mailings to contact customers and identify their needs.

ESA-backed solution: Energy supplier E.ON has been working with ESA and Earth observation specialist Astrosat to develop ThermCERT, a thermal efficiency reporting tool to pinpoint where energy-efficiency measures are needed most across the UK. The system – which uses thermal and optical images from satellites – could turn out to be a game-changer for reducing energy costs and improving efficiency, especially when it comes to heat loss in vulnerable homes.