E.ON and Coventry City Council in the UK are expanding their strategic energy partnership by collaborating with tech startup Kestrix to gather large-scale data on thermal efficiency, focusing specifically on heat losses, to enhance energy efficiency. The initiative, dubbed the “Google Maps of Thermal Efficiency,” uses drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras and cutting-edge 3D heat loss modeling.
The drones fly over homes from about 50 meters above ground, quickly and accurately identifying how and where heat escapes from buildings. This process, which only takes a few minutes, offers significant time and cost savings compared to traditional in-person assessments, which can take hours. The new solution provides a clearer understanding of heating costs and how heat losses can be addressed. Energy efficiency measures can then be directed toward households with the highest heat loss. The 3D heat loss models highlight potential areas for improvement, while machine learning algorithms offer insights into the most effective and cost-efficient upgrades.
Mark Ritzmann, CEO of E.ON Group Innovation, said: “The pilot project with Kestrix is another example of how we are using our global innovation ecosystem and partnerships with innovative startups to accelerate the energy transition. Kestrix’s innovative technology for detecting heat losses addresses an acute problem in implementing the heat transition and leads to both lower costs for property owners and a reduction in CO2emissions.”
