BEAMA has launched a new report titled “What Should I Do?”, which examines the role of heat electrification technologies and how to encourage customers to choose low carbon heating options.
The report estimated that the combined flexibility potential of all thermal storage systems available could be 10 GW by 2030, more than double the capacity forecast by NESO in their Clean Power 2030 pathway (4GW).
The analysis cited that unlocking this potential is essential for meeting the Climate Change Committee’s 7th carbon budget, which projects that the flexibility requirement from all thermal energy storage systems has to be at least 9.3GW by 2030.
BEAMA added that doubled network flexibility capacity will have tangible, real world benefits for UK energy consumers, helping to drive down the cost of energy by accelerating the connection of low carbon generation with less need to construct expensive new network infrastructure. Flexibility enables the UK to squeeze more capacity out of the existing grid, it said. The association stated that enhanced network flexibility is essential to delivering the UK government’s Clean Power 2030 and Economic Growth missions.
The new research also indicated that current government targets risk neglecting the potential of alternative clean heat solutions. These technologies are essential to successfully decarbonising UK heating, tackling fuel poverty and driving UK economic growth, it stated. National Energy Action (NEA) estimated that fuel poverty affects 6.1m households.
According to LCP Delta, just under a tenth of UK homes, 2.6m in total, have electric heating. While heat pumps offer tangible advantages that could reduce energy costs for many, BEAMA said that around 20% of households are unable to accommodate them. To be successfully delivered within five years and at minimal cost, the association noted that Clean Power 2030 must rely on a broad range of heating technologies, including heat pumps, alongside thermal batteries, hot water cylinders and solar heating solutions.
BEAMA’s analysis also showed that offering a suitable choice of low carbon heating solutions is central to persuading consumers to go electric. Industry has called on the government’s upcoming Clean Heat Strategy to prioritise support of a broad range of technologies and solutions to reflect the wide variation in homes, workplaces and buildings across the country.
The association said alternative electric heating technologies that need to be considered from the perspective of flexible storage include: air to air heat pumps, domestic hot water heat pumps, modern high heat retention storage heating systems, phase-change heat batteries, smart heat batteries and smart hot water cylinders.
BEAMA has also called on the government to create an inclusive fiscal and regulatory policy framework of Domestic Energy Support Schemes that currently fail to adequately promote alternative electric heating solutions include, such as the Warm Homes Plan.
Further support should be provided by extending the current VAT exemption on heat pump installations to the full range of electric heating technologies and incorporating into the Boiler Scheme a grant which subsidises the cost of installing flexible energy stores in households, it stated.
Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA, said: “We are at a defining moment for the electrification of heat and hot water, and our research shows that the opportunity from flexible thermal storage is being underestimated and dramatically underutilised.
“Current incentives, government and media messaging can create a confusing picture, leaving many consumers to wonder ‘What should I do?’
“We have a responsibility to ensure all households have all of the available options so they can find their own pathway to accelerate their electrification journey.”