The first smart fridges are on their way to the UK.

And by smart they don’t mean they’ll make you a fortune on the derivative markets. Smart fridges have the tag because they are domestic fridges that automatically switch on and off to save carbon.

And believe the experts, these smart fridges could bring about massive cuts in the UK’s CO2 emissions.

The first residential trial of the smart fridges are to start shortly.

The principle behind the operation of a smart fridge is simple. They respond to signals from the national grid which tells the fridge when energy demand is at its highest. Once this situation is reached – say the World Cup 2010 when England reach half-time two nil up and everyone rushes out to switch the kettle on – the fridge obligingly shuts off its power supply. The power stations relax and the fridge stays off long enough to save power, but not too long to ruin the viability of the food inside it.

Smart fridge trials are just starting, but if successful say the Government boffins, they reckon that they could shave off two million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

A total of 300 smart fridges will form the vanguard of the trial
which will initially be delivered to people who live in Sandwell in the west Midlands. Over the two-year period, some 3,000 smart fridges will be included in the trial.

The smart fridge initiative is a joint project between one of the largest white goods company, Indesit; energy giant npower; smart grid technology developer, RLtec; and, social landlord Sandwell Homes. All are operating under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target. Known as CERT, this is a directive by which energy companies are obliged to help homeowners save both carbon and energy.

Smart fridges rely on intelligent operation, which is based on dynamic demand technology. This works by sending, every second, changes from the national grid as regards the overall energy needs. And once peak supply is reached, the smart fridges use their brains, reducing their power consumptions to help the overall situation. But all this will take place without the fridge’s owner being aware of what is happening. It will, say the people behind the initiative, be a seamless operation.

The Chief Executive Officer of RLtec, Andrew Howe, said:
“A technology in the home that automatically helps to cope with peaks and demands in energy use is an exciting concept and could really help reduce demand on power stations, and see homeowners playing a big role in cutting the UK’s emissions. The smart fridges are simply plugged in as you would with any normal fridge and the technology does the rest – when multiplied across several thousand or several million homes, the carbon saving potential is massive.”

Head of Energy Efficiency at nPower, Bob Jackson, added his own comments:
“In our everyday lives we’re all becoming much more tuned into saving energy be that switching off TVs or insulating our lofts. These are great ways of cutting carbon and will continue to be important measures, but smart fridges could be another valuable way of helping to manage energy demand that doesn’t call on direct action. Projects like this are important in understanding the potential such technology has.”

And Innovation and Digital Design Director at Indesit, Andriano Mencarini, added his bit by stating:
“There are few innovations as simple and effective as smart fridges in cutting domestic CO2 emissions. We are on the brink of a major turning point in home energy efficiency. At Indesit, we have a long history of innovation and a strong determination to help the environment and through our joint development with RLtec we are very excited about the future of this technology. We eagerly anticipate the results of Europe’s first trial.”

Not to be outdone by the big bosses, a resident of Sandwell has her say as well:
“It’s very exciting to be taking part in this trial and being one of the first people in the world to use a smart fridge. It looks just like a normal fridge freezer and we’ve been using it in just the same way so if it’s helping to cut the UK’s carbon footprint too, that’s great.”

So hail the smart fridges. Just get worried if it asks to take the car for a drive, or wants to meet your boss. This could be the end of civilisation as we know it.

Guest Article by Neil Camp