Projects per year
Abstract
This study quantifies the increase in the peak power demand, net of non-dispatchable generation, that may be required by widespread adoption of heat pumps. Electrification of heating could reduce emissions but also cause a challenging increase in peak power demand. This paper expands on previous studies by quantifying the increase in greater detail; considering a wider range of scenarios, the characteristics of heat pumps and the interaction between wind generation and demand side management. A model was developed with dynamic simulations of individual heat pumps and dwellings.
The increase in peak net-demand is highly sensitive to assumptions regarding the heat pumps, their installation, building fabric and the characteristics of the grid. If 80% of dwellings in the UK use heat pumps, peak net-demand could increase by around 100% (54GW) but this increase could be mitigated to 30% (16GW) by favourable conditions. Demand side management could reduce this increase to 20%, or 15% if used with extensive thermal storage. If 60% of dwellings use heat pumps, the increase in peak net-demand could be as low as 5.5GW.
High-performance heat pumps, appropriate installation and better insulated dwellings could make the increase in peak net-demand due to the electrification of heating more manageable.
The increase in peak net-demand is highly sensitive to assumptions regarding the heat pumps, their installation, building fabric and the characteristics of the grid. If 80% of dwellings in the UK use heat pumps, peak net-demand could increase by around 100% (54GW) but this increase could be mitigated to 30% (16GW) by favourable conditions. Demand side management could reduce this increase to 20%, or 15% if used with extensive thermal storage. If 60% of dwellings use heat pumps, the increase in peak net-demand could be as low as 5.5GW.
High-performance heat pumps, appropriate installation and better insulated dwellings could make the increase in peak net-demand due to the electrification of heating more manageable.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 380-387 |
Journal | IET Renewable Power Generation |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 10 Nov 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2016 |
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Detailed simulation of electrical demands due to nationwide adoption of heat pumps, taking account of renewable generation and mitigation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Realising Transition Pathways
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/05/12 → 30/04/16
Project: Research council
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TRANSITION PATHWAYS TO A LOW CARBON ECONOMY
Hammond, G., Ault, G., Burgess, J., Foxon, T., Galloway, S., Infield, D., Leach, M., Pearson, P. J. G., Strachan, N., Strbac, G. & Watson, S.
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/05/08 → 30/04/12
Project: Research council
Datasets
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Net-demand duration data, with extensive heat pump adoption, simulated for UK
Cooper, S. (Creator), University of Bath, 2015
DOI: 10.15125/BATH-00125
Dataset