Power-to-heat links the electricity and heat sectors. Resistance heaters and electrode boilers convert electricity to heat at close to 100 %; heat pumps deliver two to five units of heat per unit of electricity at lower temperatures.
With storage in between, the electric equipment can run in the cheapest hours and absorb renewable surpluses that would otherwise be curtailed.
Key facts
- Resistance / electrode
- ≈ 99 % efficiency
- Heat pumps
- COP ≈ 2–5
- Sizes
- kW to hundreds of MW
- Value
- Price spread × hours
Electricity-to-heat systems8
- Electric resistance heaters
- Electrode boilers
- Electric steam generators
- Industrial electric heaters
- High-temperature electric heating
- Heat pumps
- Power-to-Heat systems
- Renewable electricity surplus utilisation
Economic drivers5
- Electricity prices
- Conversion efficiency
- Heat demand
- Storage losses
- Value of displaced fuels
Related calculators
Calculators are available to staff / admin only.
Related topics
- Thermal BatteryIntegrated systems that turn electricity — often cheap renewable power — into stored high-temperature heat for steam, hot air or power.
- Heat PumpsIndustrial and large heat pumps upgrade low-grade heat to useful temperatures; storage lets them run at the best hours.
- Industrial HeatStorage matched to each industry's temperature, operating cycle and heat-delivery form — steam, hot air, hot oil or hot water.
- ElectricalGrid connection, transformers, HT/LT switchgear, heater power control, VFDs, UPS, earthing and protection.
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