How Heat-Powered Heat Pumps Could Reduce the Need for Grid-Scale Energy Storage

Bruno Cardenas (), Seamus D. Garvey, Zahra Baniamerian and Ramin Mehdipour
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Bruno Cardenas: Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Seamus D. Garvey: Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Zahra Baniamerian: Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Ramin Mehdipour: Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-44

Abstract: This paper explores how the deployment of “High-Performance Heat-Powered Heat Pumps” (HP 3 s)—a novel heating technology—could help meet the domestic heating demand in the UK and reduce how much grid-scale energy storage is needed in comparison to a scenario where electrical heat pumps fully supply the heating demand. HP 3 systems can produce electricity, which can partially alleviate the stress caused by electrical heat pumps. A parametric analysis focusing on two variables, the penetration of HP 3 systems (H) and the amount of electricity exported (Ɛ), is presented. For every combination of H and Ɛ, the electricity system is optimized to minimize the cost of electricity. Three parameters define the electricity system: the generation mix, the energy storage mix and the amount of over-generation. The cost of electricity is at its highest when electrical heat pumps supply all demand. This reduces as the penetration of HP 3 systems increases due to a reduction in the need for energy storage. When HP 3 systems supply 100% of the heating demand, the total cost of electricity and the storage capacity needed are 6% and 50% lower, respectively, compared to a scenario where electrical heat pumps are in 100% of residences.

Keywords: heat decarbonization; clean space heating; hydrogen heat pumps; need for energy storage; electrification of heat; electricity cost (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: 2025
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