Flexible electric heating technologies: Potential benefits, barriers and enabling actions

Objectives and scope of the Study

Heat demand is more seasonal than other uses of electricity, such as lighting and appliances, and can spike at times when the electricity grid is already under pressure such as during periods of cold weather. This could make it more challenging to balance electricity supply and demand and manage peak loads on electricity networks with a higher share of electrified heat.

Electric heating technologies that actively communicate with and respond to signals from the grid can shift demand in response to the power system’s needs, reducing peak loads and making better use of renewable electricity, while still meeting consumers’ heating needs. This is what we mean by flexible electric heating systems. This flexibility can enhance the integration of heat demand into the electricity system and reduce the overall system costs.

The objective of the analysis is to support policy and system planning by identifying where flexibility can deliver
system-level benefits, the conditions required to realise those benefits, and the barriers that currently constrain
progress. This study aims to:

• Understand the requirements for creating a flexible, integrated electricity and heat system.
• Assess the potential benefits for Ireland’s electricity system, consumers, and decarbonisation goals.
• Identify the barriers to flexible electrified heating across technology, markets, regulation, consumer
  behaviour, and grid access.
• Recommend actions that government and system actors can take now and identify areas that require further
  investigation.

The study draws on a detailed review of international and Irish literature, engagement with industry organisations
in Ireland, and illustrative modelling of thermal energy storage (TES) to show how flexibility can support Ireland’s
future electricity system.

Download the report below to read the key findings and recommended actions. 

As part of this study we gathered data on Thermal Energy Storage (TES) technology costs and performances to support future analysis of these technologies. This supporting data is available to download here.