Controlled storage heaters could store renewable energy

Dimplex, space heating, renewable energy

Dimplex’s Quantum smart electric thermal storage system (SETS) could play a key role in Europe’s transition to a smarter, low-carbon energy system by storing renewable energy when demand is low and supply is high by being controlled through the grid. That is the main conclusion of a report by energy consultancy KEMA and commissioned by energy company SSE and appliance manufacturer Dimplex. The system offers electric-heating customers efficiency savings of up to 20%.

The Quantum system is mainly intended to replace traditional night-storage heaters, but could be installed by any user of electric heating. Quantum is said to be up to 20% more efficient than night-storage heaters. It also offers better control over room temperature and has built-in control for smart grid integration.

The report suggests that if all 27 EU countries replace the current installed base of night-storage heaters, SETS could provide 54 GW of controllable demand by 2050, potentially saving up to 7.4 TWh (1 TWh is a 1000 GWh) of electricity and 3 Mt of CO2 emissions a year. This could increase to 148 GW if all electrically heated homes switch to SETS. In the UK, SETS could create 13 GW of storage capacity by 2050 — 12 % of current installed capacity.

Ian Marchant, chief executive of SSE, explains, ‘No matter what the energy-supply mix looks like in the future, it is clear that there will be more renewables on the system, which means that it will be crucial to find new ways to balance the variability of supply in a smarter electricity grid. This report shows that smart electric thermal storage has huge potential to help.’

Quantum is an approved Green Deal measure.

For more information on this story, click here: May 2013, 161
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