Energy Systems Catapult - home energy pilot
Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) is a leading technology and innovation centre aiming to help the UK decarbonise our energy system. I worked closely with them on a number of projects, centred around trialing ESC’s 'Heat as a Service' concept.
Taking a user-centred approach, we combined insights from ESC’s research across the UK, connected devices around participant’s homes and an app that would allow them to simulate an entirely new way of heating the participant’s home.
The scheme is now being further tested with energy supplier Bristol Energy.
Pilot web app trialled in 300+ homes
ESC’s team of technologists and data scientists built a web app which was taken into 300+ households across the UK as part of a trial. I worked alongside another UX Designer and ESC to define user journeys across the app. The app allowed the user to control heat in their home, whilst the simultaneously using algorithms to learn the user’s preferences and behaviour. We defined also a pattern library and style guide that empowered ESC to develop the app going forward.
Heat as a Service style guide
Detailed style guide
ESC’s development team needed to be able to build an app that was an intuitive as possible to the user, as they were introducing an entirely new concept of ‘warm hours’ rather than kilowatt hours within the home. Although we collaborated as much as possible during the work, it wasn’t possible to work on site with ESC’s team whilst they undertook the build. As a result, I pulled together a detailed style guide that illustrated how the front end styling of the app and interaction behaviours should be executed.
The development team remarked that ‘you did the work for us’ when we met to walk through the document.
The colour palette helped describe ‘warm hours’
Illustration brought the concept to life
Heat as a service video
Describing an entirely new concept of warming the home to residents is a challenge. Together with a motion graphics designer, I scripted and storyboarded a short introductory video.
User guide
Working closely with the team at ESC, I created a user guide to support the roll out of the trial across UK homes.
Promotional infographic
Following ESC’s pilot, I created an infographic and accompanying presentation deck to allow the ESC team to prompt further conversations with Energy Suppliers, those working in the heating technology industry and local policy makers.
ESC are continuing to explore Heat as a Service with energy suppliers and their customers in the UK.
My role:
Creative Direction
UX Design