Heat storage in energy grid is necessary
TNO has examined several case studies in which solar heat and solar energy play a future role. Solar heat can be defined today as the storage of heat in a boiler tank, in most cases for use within a day. The focus of this study is on the business case. Which systems are profitable in which situations?
Three components were outlined within the study. The energy demand and yield (heat, power and post-heating), as well as the remaining demand for power and natural gas. Another part in the model focuses on costs: the investment, as well as maintenance and replacement, and other benefits such as subsidies, VAT deductions and reduction of standing charges. In the third part, everything comes together in the model: the duration, but also the lifetime of the parts of the system.
Solar heating systems are proving beneficial with a high-efficiency combi boiler and hybrid boiler. They can also be seen as a good intermediate step within a larger sustainability effort. Logically, the total cost of ownership higher if there is no financial support in the form of, for example, ISDE subsidy, net-metering or VAT exemption. PVT as a heat pump source has a good total cost of ownership, but the net present value is higher because of the investment."
Solar heating does not necessarily need to be integrated at the residential level. Therefore, two case studies of solar heating networks were also studied. A large solar thermal field with only day and night storage, with an area of 50,000 square meters, and solar thermal field with seasonal storage for a smaller heat grid. For the large solar field with day and night storage, the average net current cost of electricity generation, also called levelized cost of electricity mentioned, much more favorable than that of natural gas. In the case of the heat grid with seasonal storage, the size of the storage is of great importance. Further reduction in costs is additionally desirable to make the technology more competitive.
TNO concludes that heat storage can potentially serve to relieve the electricity grid. Heat storage is therefore necessary in the future energy network: you reduce the use of the electricity grid. With sufficient heat storage, you may even be able to get by with a lower electricity grid connection.
