Power-to-heat (P2H) technologies play a crucial role in integrating variable renewable energy (VRE) into the power grid. P2H can provide flexibility to the power system by shifting energy demand from the electricity grid to the heat sector. P2H can be used to store energy during periods of excess renewable generation and release it during periods of high demand. This can help to even out the variability of renewable energy sources, making them more dispatchable and easier to integrate into the power grid. P2H can also help to meet peak demand by providing heat on demand. This can reduce the need for electricity generation from peaking plants, which can help reduce emissions and operating costs. P2H technologies are still in development and are not yet widely deployed. However, they have the potential to play a significant role in integrating VRE into the power grid.

Reducing Curtailment

P2H technology can help to address the issue of the geographic mismatch between sources of renewable energy and the markets for that energy. P2H can be used to store energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar, and then transport it to where it is needed. This can help to make renewable energy more dispatchable and thus more valuable.

To help mitigate the issue of renewable energy curtailment, P2H offers a solution that actively stores excess energy. P2H systems can store energy from solar, wind, or other renewable sources. This energy can be released when needed. P2H can thus help to even out the variability of renewable energy sources and make them more dispatchable. P2H technology can also help reduce the cost of renewable energy by providing a way to store energy when it is abundant and release it when it is more expensive. This can help smooth out the cost of renewable energy, making it more affordable for consumers.

If there is a temporary outage in the power grid, P2H systems are also used to power grid-connected renewable energy sources. The Chinese National Energy Administration (NEA) is the primary governmental body responsible for energy policy in China.

The NEA oversees developing and implementing policies to ensure energy security and promote the sustainable development of the Chinese energy sector. The NEA has been active in promoting the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower to reduce China’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. The NEA has also been working to develop new energy storage technologies, such as P2H to help address the variability of renewable energy sources and make them more dispatchable.

Vattenfall, a Swedish energy company, uses excess wind generation to avoid wind power curtailment. By utilizing the excess wind generation, Vattenfall can avoid shutting down wind turbines due to a lack of demand for the electricity they produce. This helps to make sure that the electricity produced by the wind turbines is used and not wasted.

Vattenfall’s use of excess wind generation is just one example of how the company is working to make wind power more efficient and effective. Vattenfall is also developing new methods for storing wind energy so that it can constantly remain functional, even when there is no wind blowing. Their goal is to make wind energy a more reliable and consistent source of energy.

Increases renewable generation

P2H technology is an effective solution for renewable energy consumption because it can convert renewable energy sources into heat. This heat can be used to generate electricity or to heat water or air. P2H technology is also flexible, meaning it can be used in a variety of settings, including homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. These systems can help save money, increase efficiency, and reduce waste.

SolarChill is a partnership between technology and development organizations that is working to install solar-powered refrigerators in regions without reliable electricity. So far, around 15,000 to 20,000 SolarChill refrigerators have been installed in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The refrigerated compartment uses a solar photovoltaic panel to operate the compressor. The refrigerator is well insulated so that the temperature can stay cool for five days, even during poor sunlight. This can help to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and can also help to lower carbon emissions.

Energy generated locally that would otherwise be wasted can now be used, thanks to the use of P2H. Waste heat can also provide power in the right conditions. Kraft Foods, a food, and beverage producer based in the US, uses heat pumps to capture waste heat and convert it to usable heat. They use 2.1 MW of waste heat from the refrigeration system for heating water. This system has helped save over USD 260 000 in annual water costs and over fourteen million gallons of water.

Incentivizing more P2H adoption in the future

Power-to-heat technologies could play a significant role in the future of heating, but this will require a concerted effort from policymakers to promote their use. Energy efficiency incentives would boost the uptake of power-to-heat applications. For example, in Germany, the Renewable Energy Heating Act bans the use of oil burners in new buildings and mandates that all new buildings use energy generated from renewable energy sources.

Energiesprong is a Dutch company that creates solutions for making homes more energy efficient. These solutions include heating and cooling systems for their customers. One way they do this is by developing products that make it easy for homeowners to retrofit their homes to become net-zero energy homes. The costs of refurbishment are recovered through lower energy bills and reduced maintenance and repair costs. The company uses a combination of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies to achieve this goal.

In addition to incentives for retrofitting, so many other policies and programs contribute to the adoption of more renewable energy using P2H technologies. These include tax credits, low-interest financing, utility rebates, building code changes, and P2H training and certification programs. Finally, targets for more renewable energy-based heating and cooling are required. These targets should be specific, achievable, and measurable. One of the post practical and impactful means of achieving the renewable energy targets is a widespread adoption of energy efficient technologies like P2H.