Household and whole system assessments of ground-source heat pump deployment for domestic heat decarbonisation in the UK
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Domestic heating accounts for a large share of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK, and only little progress has been made so far in decarbonising the sector. Ground-source energy systems consisting of a ground-source heat pump, a thermal energy store and potentially a backup heating system are an attractive candidate for low-carbon heating of domestic properties. In this work, we combine a
household-level ground-source energy system optimisation model with a national whole-energy system optimisation model to perform a holistic assessment of the role and value of ground-source energy systems in the UK net-zero energy system transition. The design and operation of ground-source energy systems is optimised at the household level, and optimal domestic heating technology portfolios and the
impact of heat electrification on the wider energy system are assessed using the whole-energy optimisation model. Results show that at the household level larger heat pumps and thermal energy stores that can shift operation to off-peak hours are preferred, while at the whole-energy system level the systems with lowest investment costs are preferred. A combination of investment cost subsidies and/or higher natural gas prices is required for ground-source energy systems to compete with gas boilers. The
current subsidy of 7,500 £ requires gas price above 50 £/MWh for ground-source energy systems to become the dominant domestic heating technology, while at subsidies above 10,000 £ ground-source energy systems are competitive at historical average low natural gas prices of 20 to 30 £/MWh.
household-level ground-source energy system optimisation model with a national whole-energy system optimisation model to perform a holistic assessment of the role and value of ground-source energy systems in the UK net-zero energy system transition. The design and operation of ground-source energy systems is optimised at the household level, and optimal domestic heating technology portfolios and the
impact of heat electrification on the wider energy system are assessed using the whole-energy optimisation model. Results show that at the household level larger heat pumps and thermal energy stores that can shift operation to off-peak hours are preferred, while at the whole-energy system level the systems with lowest investment costs are preferred. A combination of investment cost subsidies and/or higher natural gas prices is required for ground-source energy systems to compete with gas boilers. The
current subsidy of 7,500 £ requires gas price above 50 £/MWh for ground-source energy systems to become the dominant domestic heating technology, while at subsidies above 10,000 £ ground-source energy systems are competitive at historical average low natural gas prices of 20 to 30 £/MWh.
Date Issued
2024-06-30
Date Acceptance
2024-06-01
Citation
37th International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems (ECOS 2024), 2024, pp.1244-1255
Publisher
ECOS 2024
Start Page
1244
End Page
1255
Journal / Book Title
37th International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems (ECOS 2024)
Copyright Statement
© 2024 ECOS. For the purpose of Open Access, the authors have applied a CC BY public copyright licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this
submission.
submission.
License URL
Identifier
https://doi.org/10.52202/077185-0107
Source
37th International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems (ECOS 2024)
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2024-06-30
Finish Date
2024-07-05
Coverage Spatial
Rhodes, Greece