- European leader in demand response and leading UK provider of smart thermostats for heat pumps announce deployment of 10,000 new heat pumps integrated with demand response technology by the end of 2025.
- Active users set to benefit from enhanced heat pump performance, environmental sustainability and improved cost savings.
11th February 2025 – Voltalis, the European leader in demand response services, and Passiv, a leading UK provider of smart thermostats for heat pumps, have announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate energy savings, renewables effectiveness, and home decarbonisation for heat pump users across the UK.
Under this partnership, Voltalis will integrate its advanced demand response technology with the Passiv Smart Thermostat, adding a flexibility layer that optimises consumers’ heat pump energy use. This collaboration enhances the efficiency of their heat pumps, unlocking greater environmental benefits and energy cost savings.
Demand response technology, also referred to as ‘intelligent demand-side management’, temporarily modulates electricity consumption in homes and buildings to balance supply and demand, ensuring the power grid’s stability.
Together, the companies will aim to deploy 10,000 new heat pumps connected to Voltalis’ virtual power plant (VPP) by the end of 2025.
Another effect of Voltalis’ technology being paired with Passiv’s product is that the heat pumps will be tapped into a demand response system, helping mitigate the intermittency of renewable energy sources. Rolling out this joint solution into UK homes won’t impact Passiv’s existing heat pump deployment process and has no additional installation cost to the consumer.
Most crucially, this solution offers substantial savings for households facing rising energy costs. Voltalis’ technology reduces energy consumption by on average up to 15%, while the Passiv Smart Thermostat enhances heat pump efficiency by 30% through smart tariffs and efficiency improvements. Through the integration of these two technologies, the potential for even higher savings for consumers is achievable – all without affecting users’ comfort levels or routine.
The strategic partnership marks the latest step in Voltalis’ broader plan to develop up to 5 GWp of demand response capacity in the UK market by 2030, representing a £1 billion investment. Voltalis’ technology is already deployed across Europe, connecting more than 1,500,000 appliances across 250,000 buildings in eight countries.
“This strategic partnership with Passiv represents a key moment for Voltalis and a statement of intent in the UK’s energy landscape. By combining the Passiv Smart Thermostat with our advanced demand response technology, we can help consumers enjoy the sustainability benefits of renewable energy solutions, with the peace of mind that fluctuations in electricity won’t negatively impact their energy bills or their home comforts. Our shared goal underscores the pressing need for collaboration within the energy industry to be able to fully harness low-carbon technologies and provide impactful solutions to UK consumers today.”Dr Randall Bowen, UK Managing Director at Voltalis
“Through partnering with Voltalis, we’re excited to unlock an enhanced level of energy confidence, convenience and savings for our customers. Our smart thermostats, when connected to Voltalis’ platform, allow users to easily manage their energy consumption and, in turn, do our part to help minimise the impact of rising energy bills. This partnership is about making it easier for households to embrace energy efficiency without the need for huge, upfront investment. This is the way forward if we’re to position the UK as a leader in reducing carbon emissions."Ian Rose, Sales & Strategy Director at Passiv
About Voltalis
Voltalis is the European leader in flexibility services with more than 1,500,000 electric appliances in over 250,000 residential and commercial buildings already equipped to deliver energy savings to its users. Since 2006, Voltalis has been offering innovative flexibility services on all energy markets in Europe and beyond, to the benefit of its partners and all energy consumers. Voltalis is supported by its majority shareholder, the independent investment Benefit Corporation and asset manager Meridiam.
Find out more at www.voltalis.co.uk
About Passiv
Passiv is an energy technology business with over a decade of experience developing smart solutions to decarbonise homes. The Passiv Smart Thermostat is a first-of-its-kind thermostat that makes heat pumps simple, affordable and can unlock additional value from the provision of Demand Side Response (DSR).
Passiv is a market-leader in net-zero projects, designing and delivering innovative energy transformation solutions with a particular focus on low-carbon heat. It has completed over 50 projects working in partnership with the Government, network operators, energy companies, and manufacturers.
Passiv was founded in 2008 and employs 50 people. It was the first to globally market a smart thermostat and is the largest installer of hybrid heating systems in the UK.
Passiv is a BUUK Infrastructure company. BUUK is the leading provider of multi-utility networks in the UK, operating more than 2.5 million utility connections.
Find out more at www.passivuk.com
