Dinesh Chacko, Monika M. Wahi
Abstract: The United Kingdom (UK) aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Hence, the government is promoting use of heat pumps (HPs) in residences, use of domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, and adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). However, critics cite barriers to adopting these strategies, and current adoption patterns and domestic energy consumption (DC) are unclear. This project uses open data on primary substations (PS) in the Northern Powergrid, which serves the UK’s North East. The UK provides a good case study, given its readily available data and the key fact it is undergoing a net zero transition. This paper aims to answer the research questions: 1) In the 2022 data, what were patterns of DC in the Northern Powergrid, and 2) How are DC patterns associated with HP, solar PV, and EV use? Using data from 541 PSs, DC patterns were mapped, and correlation and regression analysis was used to characterise the relationship between number of HPs, solar PV use, number of EVs and DC for the areas served by the PSs. Areas of high DC had higher population and were more affluent. Increasing number of HPs and EVs were statistically significantly associated with higher DC in both correlation (HPs r = 0.8579, EVs r = 0.3246, p < 0.0001) and regression analysis, and higher solar PV use was statistically significantly positively correlated with higher DC (r = 0.6937, p < 0.0001). Residences in more densely-populated and affluent areas are newer and therefore more likely to be suitable for HPs, and EV infrastructure is more likely to be established in these areas. These results support criticisms that the UK’s net zero strategy goals may be unattainable, and that increased government intervention is required in order to prevent exacerbating inequities while pursuing this strategy.
Keywords: Electric vehicles, domestic energy consumption, United Kingdom, heat pumps, solar photovoltaic.
Date Published: September 26, 2025 DOI: 10.11159/jffhmt.2025.031
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