The Role of Domestic Heat Pumps in Providing Flexibility to the UK Electricity System

Jenny Crawley (), Gemma Moore, Sarah Higginson, Cliff Elwell and Nick Eyre
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Jenny Crawley: Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK
Gemma Moore: Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK
Sarah Higginson: School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
Cliff Elwell: Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK
Nick Eyre: School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-15

Abstract: Widespread adoption of residential heat pumps is predicted to create challenges for national and local electricity systems. Flexible operation of heat pumps could help smooth peak demand and better utilise renewables. Achieving these benefits involves many stakeholders from the heat pump and electricity sectors with different perspectives and expectations. This work brought together 52 experts from different parts of the UK system to discuss and debate the role of heat pump flexibility in a decarbonised electricity system in 2035. A co-production research model was adopted, designed to integrate diverse forms of knowledge and perspectives in the co-production of knowledge on heat pump flexibility. A series of participatory activities were undertaken including a one-day workshop. Elements of a common vision emerged, such as the anticipated widespread flexible operation of heat pumps as the cheapest way of running a heat pump and the likelihood of a highly automated and remote-controlled manner of operation. Disagreements and unknowns also emerged. This work aims to support stakeholders in planning for the social, technical and economic aspects of flexible heat pump operation in their own organisations.

Keywords: flexibility; heat pumps; demand response; electricity system; buildings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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