SP Energy Networks (SPEN) and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) have begun a £5 million project to examine how networks can respond to the increase in demand caused by the electrification of heat.
By 2030 Scotland is expected to see more than a million homes convert to zero carbon heat systems such as heat pumps, creating significantly more demand on the electricity system.
Project Re-Heat, an industry first, will be trialled across three areas: East Ayrshire and East Dunbartonshire by SP Energy Networks and the Highlands by SSEN.
It will be funded via a number of schemes including £1.26 million from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme and £1.2 million from Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland.
The project will see a total of 150 heat pumps, manufactured by Japanese firm Daikin, installed in domestic homes across the three locations.
These will be connected to heat batteries developed by Sunamp, which use phase change materials to store large amounts of energy in a small volume. This will enable customers to be flexible around their energy demand for heating.
Renfrewshire-based SME Derryherk meanwhile will provide the data analytical and geographical information system (GIS) services, while delivery partner Eon will carry out installations in customers’ homes.
Scott Mathieson, network planning and regulation director at SPEN, said: “Our electricity networks are at the heart of the transition to a low carbon Scotland, but we need to ensure they are able to cope with the significant increase in demand we’re projecting as more and more low carbon heating solutions are connected into our network.
“This flagship project has the potential to be replicated across the country if it’s successful and we look forward to working with the Scottish Government, SSEN, local authorities and our industry partners to support this massive step-change in a way that will enable all our communities to work towards a net zero future.”
Stewart Reid, head of future networks at SSEN, added: “We have 7,500 heat pumps already installed on our network across the north of Scotland and anticipate this will increase to half a million by the middle of this century. Project Re-Heat will be vital to build our understanding of how we manage this cost effectively and ensure our network is ready.
“We are delighted to be working with the Scottish government and SP Energy Networks. Through this project, we look forward to tackling the challenges and identifying how to provide the critical infrastructure needed to support net zero.”