In this episode of Energy Unwrapped, I’m joined by Claire Rowland from Energy Systems Catapult to talk about the Living Lab, a network of over 5,000 UK homes helping shape the future of home energy.
We get into what the Living Lab actually is, how it works, and why real-world data from real homes is so important. Rather than testing products in controlled lab environments, the Living Lab trials new technologies like heat pumps, EV charging, solar and smart tariffs in everyday homes, with all the messiness that comes with it.
A big part of this episode is about what that data is showing. From how people adopt technologies, to why EVs often act as the “gateway” into electrification, through to how combinations of solar, batteries and heat pumps are starting to emerge. It is a fascinating look at where home energy is heading over the next decade.
What we cover in this episode
- what the Living Lab actually is and how it works
- why testing energy tech in real homes matters
- how over 5,000 UK homes are contributing data
- what data is collected from smart meters, EVs, solar and heat pumps
- why EVs are often the gateway technology into electrification
- how people move from EVs into solar, batteries and heat pumps
- adoption stats across EVs, solar, batteries and heat pumps
- why many homes end up with multiple low-carbon technologies
- how the Living Lab is 10 years ahead of the market
- how data is used by government, startups and network operators
- real-world trials including heat pumps, heat batteries and retrofit
- how flexibility, EV charging and heat demand affect the grid
- how homeowners can join the Living Lab
- what participants get, including paid trials and free tech installs
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Full Transcript
Below is the full transcript for this episode, lightly edited for readability.
What Is the Living Lab?
Claire explains that the Living Lab is a trials and data facility designed to understand how energy products and services work for real people in real homes. Instead of just lab testing, companies can trial technologies in everyday households and see how they perform in the real world.
Why Real Homes Matter More Than Lab Testing
A key idea in the episode is that lab testing only goes so far. Real homes are messy, with different layouts, behaviours and combinations of technologies. The Living Lab fills that gap by testing products in real environments before they are widely deployed.
From 500 to Over 5,000 Homes
The Living Lab has grown rapidly, from around 500 homes in 2021 to over 5,000 today. This gives a large and varied dataset, covering different property types, locations and household behaviours across the UK.
What Data Is Collected
The lab collects a wide range of data, including smart meter usage, EV charging patterns, heat pump operation, solar generation and battery behaviour. In some cases, additional sensors are used for specific trials, such as air quality or circuit-level monitoring.
Why Context Matters as Much as Data
It is not just about raw data. The Living Lab also gathers contextual information about homes, such as size, insulation, occupancy and heating systems. This makes the dataset far more useful, as it links energy use to real-world conditions.
EVs as the Gateway Technology
One of the standout insights is that EVs are often the first step into electrification. Once people experience cheaper off-peak charging and start thinking in kWh, they often go on to explore solar, batteries and even heat pumps.
The “Rabbit Hole” of Home Electrification
The episode highlights a familiar pattern. People start with one technology, often an EV or solar, and then expand into a full system with solar, battery, EV and heat pump. This progression reflects how awareness and engagement grow over time.
Adoption Stats from 5,000 Homes
The Living Lab data shows interesting adoption trends, including strong uptake of EV chargers, followed by solar and batteries, with heat pumps slightly behind. It also shows that more than half of homes have multiple technologies installed, reinforcing the idea of a combined system approach.
A Glimpse of the Future Energy System
Claire explains that the Living Lab is effectively 10 years ahead of the wider market. This makes it a useful indicator of where home energy is heading, especially as more homes move towards full electrification.
Using the Data for Research and Policy
The data is anonymised and shared with government, startups and other organisations to support research. This includes work on heat loss modelling, EV charging behaviour and energy demand patterns.
Trials That Shape Real Policy
We discuss real trials, including government-backed projects looking at retrofit, air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries. These trials help inform decisions such as what technologies are included in support schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Grid Planning and Extreme Demand Scenarios
The Living Lab also helps network operators understand demand, including how heat pumps behave in very cold weather and how EV charging can be shifted to balance the grid.
Controlling Devices and Flexibility
In some trials, devices such as EV chargers and heating systems can be controlled (with permission) to test flexibility. This helps explore how future energy systems might balance supply and demand more efficiently.
How to Join the Living Lab
Claire explains that joining is simple. Anyone over 18 in the UK can sign up, provide basic information about their home, and optionally connect devices like smart meters. The more information you provide, the more opportunities there are to take part in trials.
Website: https://www.livinglab.energy/
What Participants Get in Return
Participants can take part in paid research, surveys and trials, and in some cases receive free equipment such as heat pumps or other technologies as part of government-backed studies.
Why It Matters for the Energy Transition
The episode finishes on a bigger point. The transition to cleaner energy depends on understanding how people actually use energy. The Living Lab provides that missing link between technology and real-world behaviour.
About the Energy Unwrapped Podcast
Energy Unwrapped is my podcast about renewables, home electrification and how energy technology works in the real world. You can browse all episodes, platform links and future updates on the main Energy Unwrapped Podcast page.
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