E-Cars and Heat Pumps Support Energy Strategy

(CONNECT) Flexibly controlled use of heat pumps and the use of electric cars could significantly improve Switzerland's energy balance. Compared to a non-flexible system, a net saving of 20 percent of electricity imports could be achieved. This is the conclusion of a study conducted under the leadership of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH), according to a press release. The PATHFNDR consortium, funded by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), involved ETH Zurich, the Swiss Federal Laboratoriesfor Materials Science and Technology (Empa), the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), the University of Geneva (Unige), the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), the Delft University of Technology and 25 other cooperation partners.

The study points out that the flexible use of electrical energy can reduce the load on the grid. Heat pumps should be switched off at temperatures above 0 degrees Celsius during peak load times. electric cars can be charged by solar energy at flexible time intervals and during parking times during the day.

Such flexible action could save around 20 percent of electricity imports. "That is around 1.8 TWh of electricity, which corresponds to the annual consumption of around 0.5 million Swiss households," Siobhan Powell, energy researcher at ETH and one of the main authors, is quoted as saying in the press release. According to the press release, 0.7 TWh (terawatt hours) less could also be imported in the winter months. Switzerland aims to cover 50 to 60 percent of its electricity requirements with energy sources such as photovoltaics, wind energy and biomass by 2050. With flexible control of heat pumps and electric vehicles, a total of 4 percent additional renewable electricity could be available by 2050, according to the press release.

In order to implement the flexibility programs, the study calls on suppliers to provide the necessary control and communication technology. Users should be rewarded with attractive dynamic electricity tariffs for flexible charging and heating. ce/ww