Renewable Energy in the Service of Mankind Vol II

Abstract

The book provides insights on a broad spectrum of renewable and sustainable energy technologies from the world’s leading experts. It highlights the latest achievements in policy, research and applications, keeping readers up-to-date on progress in this rapidly advancing field. Detailed studies of technological breakthroughs and optimizations are contextualized with in-depth examinations of experimental and industrial installations, connecting lab innovations to success in the field. The volume contains selected papers presented at technical and plenary sessions at the World Renewable Energy Congress, the World's premier conference on renewable energy and sustainable development. Held every two years, the Congress provides an international forum that attracts hundreds of delegates from more than 60 countries. Chapter 73: 'Heat-Driven Heat Pumps—The Future of Domestic Heating in Europe', reviews different types of gas-fired heat pump and assesses the markets and the barriers to wider uptake. Other options for future heating systems proposed within the UK assume moving to an all electric decarbonised electricity grid. However, this presents great challenges and whilst possible in the long term cannot secure the emission reductions essential in the medium term. The case is proposed for a mixed solution with both gas-fired and electric heat pumps, also hybrids being used well in the 2040s. Whilst not being the minimal emission route, this is a much more affordable and pragmatic solution to domestic heating. There have been many attempts to commercialize and introduce heat-driven (particularly gas-fired) heat pumps over three decades. There are now three domestic systems on the market [Robur, Vaillant and Viessmann], with others under development. The different types are reviewed, the markets assessed, and the barriers to wider uptake are discussed. Other options for future heating systems proposed within the UK are a range of electric heat pump developments and fuel cell/micro-CHP units. Moving to an all electric decarbonised electricity grid is shown to require a vast investment to perhaps triple the capacity of the electricity infrastructure. The case is proposed for a mixed heating solution with both gas-fired and electric heat pumps, also hybrids being used well into the 2040s. New-build houses will be almost exclusively electric and will need integration with advanced storage to supply domestic hot water. Older properties with higher heat loads will either use hybrid electric heat pump—gas boiler systems or gas-fired heat pumps. The proposed mix, whilst not being the minimal emission route, is much more affordable and a pragmatic solution to domestic heating.