WOKINGHAM, UK. 5th September, 2024 - Millions of UK homes could successfully switch to low-carbon electrified 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 finding 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 findings clearly demonstrated that heat batteries, an all-electric low-carbon alternative to fossil fuel boilers, can provide grid flexibility by shifting peak energy demand for heating to off-peak times by up to 95%. This means that homes could be efficiently 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 flexibility for the grid.
Using this first-of-its-kind type of use, the Neat Heat trial showed 95% of a trialist’s 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 who 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.
Green solutions such as the ZEB could play an important role in decarbonising home heating. They are ideal for the estimated 20%+ of UK homes which lack the space required for low carbon solutions like heat pumps or where these solutions could prove difficult to retrofit. All homes involved in the trial also benefited from quick installations with minimal disruptions, taking on average one-to-two days. All trialists have also opted to continue with their new ZEB heating solution rather than reverting back to a fossil fuel boiler.
Head of Innovation at UK Power Networks, Luca Grella said: “Being able to move electricity demand away from peak hours is huge for both our network and customers.”
“The more people move to electric heating systems, the more resilient our network will need to be. Shifting demand away from peak hours will reduce the upgrades needed to keep up with the future demand of green technologies, which would ultimately have been paid for by customers across the country. We hope this also opens the door to further low carbon solutions which we know they are keen to adopt.”
CEO 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 tariffs will enable millions of homes currently unable to switch to low-carbon solutions to join the green transition.”
Grainne Regan, Head of Heat at OVO said: “The ability to decouple electricity consumption from heating is an essential part of decarbonising home heating. This trial represents a huge step forward in our joint mission to decarbonise the UK energy grid by 2035.”
“We’re committed to making it easier for our customers to access energy that is better for them, their wallets and the planet, and this trial is a great example of how we are delivering on that.”
To read the full Neat Heat trial report visit the website. To find out more, join the Installer webinar on 5th September to hear UK Power Networks, OVO and tepeo discuss the findings in more detail.
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