HYBRID HEATING SYSTEMS
Representatives from Phoenix Energy, Refresh NI and Alpha Housing are pictured at the launch of a hybrid trial.
Phoenix Energy recently supported the installation of a heat monitoring system to track performance of a hybrid heating trial.
Heat pump installed as part of a new hybrid trial with Phoenix Energy and partners.
PHOENIX ENERGY’S ENERGY TRANSITION MANAGER IAIN HOY OUTLINES HYBRID HEATING SYSTEMS’ POTENTIAL TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS, HIGHLIGHTING SUCCESSFUL INSTALLATIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND… Fuelling the future: The role of hybrid heating in NI’s energy transition
As Northern Ireland intensifies its efforts to meet its 2050 net zero target, decarbonising heat remains a pressing challenge. However, progress thus far has been mixed. Residential buildings account for c.2.5 million tonnes of NI’s carbon emissions and no one heating technology – renewable gas, biomass, heat pumps, HVO, heat networks – can be expected to deliver this level of reduction on its own in such a short timeframe. NI Gas Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), including Phoenix Energy, continue to grow their customer base by connecting c.10,000 of the remaining c.210,000 properties per year which continue to use oil-fired central heating but have a gas network outside their property. Connecting these homes and incorporating energy efficiency measures
would unlock up to 425,000 tonnes of CO2e savings. However, we need to embrace emerging opportunities if we are to meet the gas industry’s target of a net-zero gas network by 2050. This will include replacing natural gas with renewable alternatives such as biomethane and reducing overall gas use by encouraging the utilisation of hybrid heating systems. Biomethane is a like-for-like, non- disruptive replacement for natural gas. Northern Ireland, thanks to our large agricultural sector, has the potential to produce more biomethane than we currently consume on the distribution network, which is why Phoenix is working with industry, academia and policy makers to establish a high-performing biomethane economy locally. But it’s important that in addition to embracing renewable gas solutions,
consumers also utilise energy as efficiently as possible during the net-zero transition. The old adage that the lowest- cost and lowest-carbon unit of energy is the one not used still rings true. That’s why Phoenix has taken forward several trials of hybrid heating systems which promise to provide consumers with the best of both worlds – combining the efficiency of a heat pump with the reliability and peak-heating capabilities of a renewable gas boiler in a single net- zero-ready consumer package. WHAT IS A HYBRID HEATING SYSTEM? A hybrid system comprises a gas boiler and a heat pump joined together via a smart control unit. The heat pump, when external temperatures and household conditions are favourable, is enabled to run at very high efficiencies with the
“A hybrid system comprises a gas boiler and a heat pump joined together via a smart control unit.”
12 | PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE
FOLLOW US ON:
www.plumbingmag.com
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online