Ofgem's Insights into the Decarbonisation of Heat

November 2016

Ofgem has just released its report on "The Decarbonisation of Heat" and notes that the options for decarbonising heat include:

improved energy efficiency
adaptation of natural gas networks through blending in lower carbon gas
electrification of heating through heat pumps
further development of heat networks, and
hydrogen networks.

GSHPA welcomes the report and the key message that Ofgem agrees there is a need to focus on heat pumps as the leading low-carbon heating option for buildings.

Improved energy efficiency

Ofgem notes that a key option should be "improved energy efficiency". GSHPA agrees that an energy efficiency review should be an integral part of any modern heating system installation.

Blending in lower carbon gas

Ofgem notes the option of blending in lower carbon gas into the gas grid. While this may be an interim option, the radical option is to recognise that any form of combustion of carbon compounds will release more CO₂. The longer term objective must be to stop burning carbon compounds and substitute this with heat transfer – which means employing heat pumps instead.

Further development of heat networks

Ofgem would like to see "further development of heat networks". GSHPA agrees and notes that the most efficient form of carbon-free heat networks is to share a common ground array from which buildings that require heat can draw heat using their own heat pump; and buildings needing cooling can reject heat to the common ground array (to the benefit of those needing heat): "joined-up heating".

Hydrogen networks

Ofgem echoes the call by the Climate Change Committee to explore the use of hydrogen for heating. GSHPA agrees that burning hydrogen for heat would be a carbon-free development. However, it is necessary to look at the source of that hydrogen: if carbon is released in the production of hydrogen this merely shifts the release of CO₂ one step back in the production cycle. While Carbon Capture and Storage has been suggested as the route to containing the CO₂ produced, the risks – and unquantified costs – of this approach are all in the future. Heat pumps are available now.

Burning hydrogen in air also emits six times the amount of nitrous oxides than burning natural gas in air, with serious implications for urban air quality and health.

Further considerations for Ofgem

GSHPA believes there are further key points that have not been fully brought out in the Ofgem report concerning thermal energy storage, heat recycling and air quality.

Thermal Energy Storage

While Ofgem recognises the key part to be played by heat pumps in decarbonising heating, it does not distinguish between air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps, except to note that the capital cost of air source systems is cheaper than for ground source.

It is true that air source installations are cheaper. However, GSHPs quickly offset the difference because they last longer than ASHPs and are more efficient. The plant has a longer useful life and the element in the ground should be seen as an investment in long term infrastructure with a life expectancy of 100 years.

Furthermore, in terms of energy efficiency, there is no opportunity for an ASHP to benefit from thermal energy storage if heat exchange is with ambient air.

Heat Recycling

GSHPs have the unique potential to deliver interseasonal storage: cooling loads can be met with greater efficiency because heat exchange with cold ground is more efficient than heat exchange with hot air. The by-product of this efficient exchange is heating up the ground – in advance of the heating season when the heat stored in the ground can be recycled back to the building in winter.

Air Quality

Air quality is not mentioned in the Ofgem report. However, poor air quality in cities is now recognised as a key irritant in a number of diseases that affect the old and the young and combustion of carbon fuels in cities contributes directly to poor air quality. Heat pumps work without combustion and do not emit any form of emissions on site.

Conclusion

Ofgem is correct in pointing out that "electrification of heating through heat pumps" is the right way to go. However, it is not clear that Ofgem has fully realised how right it is.

See the full copy of Ofgem's Insight into the Decarbonisation of Heat.

See Renewable Heating See Renewable Cooling