New standards lay foundations for energy smart appliances

BEAMA has announced and supported the publication of two new standards, PAS 1878:2021 Energy smart appliances –Functionality and system architecture – Specification and PAS 1879:2021 Energy Smart Appliances – Demand side response operation – code of practice. These standards set the basis for how full integration and interoperability of energy smart appliances can support a market for flexible energy services.

They complement and develop further the European standards that BEAMA and our members have contributed to in recent years. The compatibility with international standards in development places the UK at the forefront of this work and will enable an internationally competitive market for energy smart appliances in the UK.

BEAMA will continue to work with our members to inform further development of UK and international regulation, working closely with UK Government on the appropriate implementation of supporting policy and regulation.

PAS 1878 sets out requirements for an appliance to be classified as an Energy Smart Appliance (ESA) and outlines the functional requirements and system architecture of an ESA to enable Demand Side Response.

BEIS may look at the possibility for future certification requirements, and BEAMA will continue to work closely with UK Government and our membership to ensure appropriate market wide application and suitability. Currently this PAS is voluntary, and we encourage our membership to take it into consideration as the basis for the design and architecture of manufactured ESAs.

Dr Howard Porter, BEAMA CEO and chairman of the Strategic Advisory Group overseeing the development of these standards, stated: “These specifications will play a significant role in the future of flexibility markets in the UK energy system. The specifications, developed over the last two years, have taken on board expert views from across industry, consumer groups, Government and BSI and now form the basis for considering interoperable solutions for consumers and businesses.

“BEAMA members across the wide scope of energy smart appliances we cover will find these specifications useful, in particular as the UK Government are planning regulations that will adopt all or part of these PASs.

“Understanding these PASs is vital for the integration of heat pumps and electric vehicle charge points in buildings and energy networks and to realise the value of smart metering infrastructure.”

George Penny, Technology Strategy Manager at Moixa and BEAMA member, added: "PAS 1878 and 1879 represent an important step in standardisation of the innovative work Moixa and others at the forefront of the energy transition have been undertaking. Standardisation is necessary to move domestic grid participation beyond early adopters and trials, to the commonplace everyday involvement necessary for a renewable future. The scale of the challenge remains huge, but failure to address it would be catastrophic. These specifications will allow interoperability between appliances and those who can provide value from scheduling them, which will accelerate innovation and progress towards net zero."

Patrick Caiger-Smith, Chairman of GEO and BEAMA member, said: “The emerging markets for flexibility services are complex from both a commercial and technical perspectives even to industry insiders. They will be baffling to almost all consumers. The framework provided by these standards should enable service operators and device manufacturers to develop systems that work consistently in the background of homes without manual intervention and at the same time protecting data and providing security. Whilst not assuring interoperability, the detailed thinking that has gone into these standards will provide commonality of approach to companies that adopt these standards.”