INDUSTRY NEWS
HEAT BATTERIES COULD REVOLUTIONISE UK HOME HEATING AND DRIVE DECARBONISATION
M
illions of UK homes could successfully switch to low-carbon electrifi ed heating whilst easing pressure on the grid by using
innovative heat battery technology, enabling the UK to meet its Net Zero targets by 2050. This is the core fi nding of the landmark Neat Heat trial, led by UK Power Networks, in partnership with OVO and tepeo. The Neat Heat trial ran for 18 months and
involved installing tepeo’s Zero Emission Boiler (ZEB), which uses heat battery technology, into customers’ homes in the Southeast and East of England. The fi ndings clearly demonstrated that heat batteries, an all-electric low-carbon alternative to fossil fuel boilers, can provide grid fl exibility by shifting peak energy demand for heating to off -peak times by up to 95%. This means that homes could be effi ciently heated even in the depths of winter, whilst providing substantial carbon savings of ~15,600 kgCO2e compared to if these homes were using gas boilers instead. By leveraging the thermal storage capability of the ZEB, the trial showed homes could ‘charge’ their
heating systems outside of the most expensive hours of the day, with heat being released on demand when needed. At launch, the project attracted >2,000 registrations of interest for the limited spaces available, evidencing a strong demand from UK customers for new alternatives to fossil fuel heating. The trial was built around an innovative
proposition developed by OVO called a ‘type of use’ add-on, giving customers access to a cheaper (than standard) rate to charge their ZEBs. Customers could also set their ZEBs to charge during the cheapest times during the day, making it simple for the customer and enabling fl exibility for the grid. Using this fi rst-of-its-kind type of use, the Neat Heat trial showed 95% of a trialists’ yearly heating demand could be moved outside of peak hours, where demand on the grid was highest, including over 90% in the coldest weeks in winter. All homes that participated in the trial experienced no noticeable change to their heating — with the ZEB providing a similar experience as a traditional boiler,
but powered entirely by electricity. Chief executive of tepeo, Johan du Plessis said: ‘Neat Heat’s success paves the way for the wider deployment of heat batteries, which is critical to the UK’s successful transition to Net Zero.” “Heat batteries working in tandem with dynamic
tariff s will enable millions of homes currently unable to switch to low-carbon solutions to join the green transition.”
SURVEY TO ACCELERATE PROGRESS TOWARD NET ZERO WITH ADVANCED HEAT PUMP TECHNOLOGY
S
tar Refrigeration has urged industrial sectors to participate in heat pump research to help establish a benchmark for designing
cost-eff ective, pre-engineered industrial heat pumps to meet the needs of the industrial sector. The company is leading a research initiative aimed at advancing developments in sustainable heating technology. Through the launch of a comprehensive survey, the company seeks to gather critical data from diverse industries to unveil insights into sector-specifi c heat pump requirements. The project will collate information about the operational needs of various industries and businesses within the same sector. This data will serve to inform the design of effi cient, data- driven and customer-led heat pump technologies that are easily adaptable across a multitude of applications and scenarios, laying the ground for
the development of next-generation heat pump solutions.
Sean Hurley, senior sales manager at Star
Refrigeration, said: “Star’s strength has always laid in its ability to deliver highly customised cooling and heating solutions that seamlessly integrate with specialised processes to achieve optimum energy effi ciency.” “This research project aligns with our
commitment to guiding industries toward Net Zero. The fi ndings will enable us to identify the subtle variations in operational processes across industries and businesses to fi ne-tune heat pump design and improve the effi ciency of industrial heating processes.” To achieve a comprehensive understanding of each industry’s needs and challenges, the company is calling on businesses from industries in the brewing, food & drink, pharma, meat processing,
chemicals, paper, bakery, and distilling sectors to contribute their insights by taking part in the research survey and help shape the future of industrial renewable heating technologies. Mr Hurley said: “Achieving Net Zero requires businesses to make informed decisions about the technology they use. Participating in our survey provides businesses with an opportunity to shape the future of industry-led, effi cient solutions and ensure the industry remains ahead of the curve.” To directly infl uence the development of
advanced heat pump technology and lend expertise, go to
https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/7WWRQ3Q
4 October 2024
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