There are many global factors that are challenging the colossal transition to Zero Carbon Economy, ranging from regional conflicts, possible new cold wars, inflation to rising interest rates. The climate challenge is, de facto, an energy transition challenge, which historically takes generations. Governments all over the world are working to implement policy that encourages society to foster clean energy and low-carbon technologies. It is a fine balance between supply and demand of energy networks, whilst maintaining energy security. This was evident in Ireland during the winter of 2022 which witnessed several Systems Alerts, from the Transmission System Operator (TSO), EirGrid, mainly due to sub-zero temperatures, low wind, and system capacity. In line with the European Union, member states are moving towards the decarbonisation of energy systems. This will require a holistic behavioural change in the way society provide, transport and consume energy. The large scale expansion of low-carbon technologies, namely Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) and the electrification of buildings, using a low-carbon intensity electricity grid is generally accepted and predominantly uncontroversial. This paper aims to analyse datasets produced from a Power and Energy Data Logger which consisted of time series data recorded at ten minute intervals from two different load sources. The first dataset monitored an ASHP's electrical energy and the second dataset monitored a residential building's electrical energy over a period in winter 2022. This data allowed the author undertake comparative analysis between different scenarios, such as the ASHP's electrical consumption load profile and the Outside Air Temperature (OAT). Furthermore, comparisons were made between the TSO's demand profile and the building's new electrical consumption load profile incorporating an ASHP. This paper's main findings are that ASHP's electrical energy profile fluctuates considerably throughout the day, due to continuously changing OAT. Finally, the comparative analysis between the actual heat pump data collected and the previously predicted profile shows clear variations between the two models.

The current geopolitical situation is certainly challenging the colossal transition to Zero carbon Economy. In fact, in the coming years, the electricity sector will have to find new innovative ways to meet the ever increasing need for energy without the over reliance on fossil fuels and their country of origin. Over the next decade, oil and gas boilers will not be permitted in new buildings in Ireland, in line with the Irish Building Regulations, Technical Guidance Document L – Conservation of Fuel and Energy 2021. This is a major shift in traditional building services methodology and heat technology. In line with the European Union Green Deal, member states are developing and updating policies in an effort to foster this energy transition. The main areas of focus are the three pillars of energy and the associated carbon emissions; electricity, transport and heat. This paper aims to examine energy bills, electricity and gas, for a domestic family premises over a 24 month period. This data will allow the author to build a demand load profile model for the energy consumption and thus, forecast the transition to the electrification of building services. Today, the readily available solution on offer for industry are heat pumps (HP) which will allow the fuel source to move away from a carbon heavy source to a cleaner electricity source. This paradigm shift in thermal demand technology, to a decarbonised electricity source may place a large burden on the national electricity grid during peak demand times. Given the acute energy crisis being currently witnessed throughout Europe, this paper highlights the potential increased electricity bills that consumers might face while shifting to heat pumps. This paper’s main findings are that without Demand Side Management (DSM) tools and smart services, such as smart meters and Time-of-Use (ToU) tariffs, consumers could face increased winter energy bills in the region of 184%.