Heat NEWS (Net zEro With heat Storage)

Project Description

Thermal Energy Storage (TES) is an underutilised, cost effective, and resource efficient technology which can support decarbonisation in Ireland. It can be a crucial enabler of emissions reduction, sector integration and flexibility in the heat and electricity sectors.

Critically, current evaluations show TES is an order of magnitude cheaper than battery storage (with a lifespan significantly longer). TES is underexplored in an Irish context and research is required to explore and communicate opportunities, guide policy, demonstrate projects, and energy system actors.

This project aims to deliver :

- Comparative review and suitability analysis of TES across multiple dimensions

- Sector integration analysis of TES and the electricity network via a new integrated TES and electricity model. This will explore TES and sector integration nationally, across residential, commercial, public and industrial sectors. It will include consideration of district heat, building level demand and storage, electricity generation and demand profiles, and flexibility and demand response.

- Develop a business model analysis of cross-sectoral TES opportunities, including a case study of the Tallaght District Heating Scheme

- Roadmap for thermal storage

- ‘How-to-guide’ for incorporating thermal storage into heating systems

- Engagement & dissemination