Barratt Redrow appoints GTC to deliver integrated Smart Home system to Penarth estate

Barratt Redrow has appointed GTC to deliver the complete Smart Home energy and utility infrastructure for Cosmeston Farm in Penarth, Wales – claimed to be the UK’s largest net zero carbon housing development.

GTC said that by deploying its Smart Home system at scale, the 576-home scheme will exceed the Future Homes Standard requirements – combining networked ground source heat pumps, smart controls, grid flexibility services, and home battery storage. In turn these will be supplied by GTC-owned electricity and water networks, to provide one seamless service, the firm said.

The company noted that such a whole-system approach is what will enable Cosmeston to deliver low energy bills, through smart optimisation and grid-flexibility earnings – all while reducing demand on the electricity grid and ensuring freedom of choice of electricity supplier.

Oliver Novakovic, Technical & Innovation Director at Barratt Redrow, said:

Cosmeston represents a transformational step in how we design and build the next generation of zero-carbon communities. By working closely with GTC from the outset, we’ll be able to integrate advanced smart home technologies into the fabric of the development, ensuring our customers benefit from lower energy bills, greater comfort and long-term resilience. This project shows what is possible when industry partners collaborate to deliver homes that are not only beautifully designed, but future-ready.”

GTC will monitor the energy use across the Welsh Government-led project, capturing detailed, real-world performance data from the heat pumps, solar PV, batteries, smart controls and the local electricity network. The site-wide monitoring will provide the evidence needed to demonstrate that the development is performing to the defined net zero carbon-in-operation target.

Cardiff University will independently review real-world performance, helping set a new benchmark for large-scale net zero carbon housing across the UK.

John Marsh, Chief Innovation Officer at GTC, said:

Cosmeston showcases the power of bringing together proven technologies and investment to create affordable, zero-carbon, smart homes. By combining heat pumps, smart controls, solar, batteries and flexibility into one solution, we are delivering a blueprint for future-proofed, net-zero-carbon homes, at scale.”

Jayne Bryant, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government in the Senedd said:

This landmark development sets a new standard for sustainable housing not only in Wales but across the UK and beyond. This isn’t just about building homes – it’s about creating thriving communities and tackling the climate emergency head-on. Our net zero policy is driving real investment and real change in how we build the homes Wales desperately needs.”

GTC said its Smart Home system will comprise:

• Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps: Shared boreholes draw on stable ground temperatures, enabling consistent performance year-round. Each property will have a Kensa Shoebox heat pump which sits discreetly inside the home.

• Electricity Networks: A resilient, future-ready electricity network supporting low-carbon technologies at scale with advanced energy monitoring. Requires a lower grid capacity, thanks to the efficient ground source heat pump system.

• Water Networks: Fully integrated potable water services designed for long-term reliability and efficient delivery.
• Battery Storage: Home batteries enabling greater self-consumption of renewable electricity, ability to utilise time-of-use tariffs and providing grid flexibility benefits to help reduce household bills.
• Energy Monitoring and Smart Controls: Making new technology easy to use, helping homeowners understand and optimise their energy use, supporting low running costs, grid stability and verified net zero performance.