The DINOSAURS project explored how everyday households could help make Northern Ireland’s electricity grid more efficient. Carried out by researchers at Queen’s University Belfast and supported by Glen Dimplex, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks and Energy Trading Ireland, the project focused on using smart technology to manage home heating in a way that supports the wider energy system.
Traditionally, electric storage heaters are charged at night using fixed schedules. This project looked at how to control these heaters more flexibly, using real-time signals to spread out energy use across homes. This helped reduce pressure on the grid during busy times and made better use of renewable energy when it was available.
The team developed new communication systems and ran simulations to test how this approach could work in practice. The project aimed to show how connected heating systems could respond automatically to changes in energy supply and demand.
By the end of the project, a full demonstration system was in place, showing how smart heating could support the electricity network. The findings helped highlight the potential for homes to play an active role in managing energy, paving the way for cleaner, more efficient power systems.