Great potential for heat storage in heat grids
Converting renewable electricity into heat, which is then stored, can be a good way to utilize surpluses from solar and wind energy and reduce the use of natural gas. This emerges from the study "Power to heat and heat storage in heat networks," conducted by CE Delft for RVO.
The study provides insight into the opportunities for making heat networks more sustainable with power-to-heat and heat storage. Two techniques for power-to-heat were examined: heat pumps and electric boilers. For heat storage, tank storage (TTES), storage in an insulated hole in the ground (PTES) and high-temperature storage in an underground water layer (HT-ATES) are examined.
Heat storage potential
CE-Delft concludes that heat storage is a welcome addition to other forms of energy storage. The potential storage capacity of all heat storage in heat networks combined is 0.6 PJ in 2030 and 1.4 PJ in 2050. This seems small relative to total heat demand, but this storage is recharged and discharged several times a year. Heat storage therefore does
a noticeable contribution to fill the total energy storage needs.
However, heat storage techniques are so far still in the demonstration phase in the Netherlands and both have limitations regarding the locations where the systems can be built. Both techniques still have technical limitations that need to be resolved; the market for both systems is still very limited. Researchers recommend that the Ministry of Economic Affairs establish a temporary investment subsidy for large-scale long-term thermal storage to develop the technology and drive the market. We also recommend further standardization of the licensing frameworks for soil storage systems by developing a review framework.
Energy Storage NL served on the sounding board group of this study.
