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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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2.3 The Production and Storage <strong>of</strong> Heat<br />

The demand for space and water heating may be met through the use <strong>of</strong> CHP, or<br />

through dedicated heaters using electricity or fuels derived from biomass or<br />

waste. This heat may be produced on demand, or produced and stored in<br />

electric storage heaters for space heating (using excess electricity when<br />

available), or in hot water storage tanks (heated by excess heat from dedicated<br />

boilers or CHP systems, or excess electricity). This storage provides a good use<br />

for excess electricity in a system, allows dedicated boilers to be run<br />

continuously, and/or allows CHP plant to follow the electricity demand or run<br />

continuously. Heat stored as hot water may be used later for space heating and<br />

the supply <strong>of</strong> hot water.<br />

2.3.1 Instantaneous Space and Water Heaters<br />

Various types <strong>of</strong> instantaneous heaters are available for different scales and<br />

types <strong>of</strong> application, and using different fuels, including electricity, biogas, and<br />

hydrogen [36-39]. These heaters may be used directly in buildings for space<br />

and water heating, or for providing or boosting the heat output <strong>of</strong> district heating<br />

schemes. When combined heat and power is being used for district heating, it<br />

may be useful to use excess electricity to provide some <strong>of</strong> the heat requirement<br />

when demand for heat is high. This would reduce the loading on the CHP plant,<br />

and the amount <strong>of</strong> wasted electricity.<br />

The use <strong>of</strong> hydrogen fuelled heaters for space and water heating, and cooking is<br />

a good use for hydrogen produced by electrolysis from excess electricity, and<br />

conversion efficiencies ranging from 80 to 95% are achievable [40,41]. The<br />

production <strong>of</strong> heat from electricity is 100% efficient, though not necessarily the<br />

best use for this high grade energy source, and biogas heating systems have<br />

electricity to heat conversion efficiencies <strong>of</strong> 60% to 80%, depending on the type<br />

<strong>of</strong> plant used. Biomass and waste, generally in the form <strong>of</strong> pellets, can also be<br />

used for space heating in domestic-sized and larger boilers, though start-up and<br />

response to change in demand times are slower. Figure 2.2 shows the similarity<br />

in design between a hydrogen fuelled domestic heater and a wood pellet boiler.<br />

39

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