Heat pumps, electric vehicles and an imminent shortage of electricity. Does the planned decarbonization have to be postponed, or are the gloomy forecasts not as serious as they sound? The specialist conference of the FWS in Spreitbach once again attracted numerous experts to the environmental arena.
The high demand for heat pumps is unbroken and the incoming orders tend to point to an electricity surplus. With the high demand, the waiting times are also getting longer. Manufacturers are challenged and are doing everything they can to increase production capacities. From an economic point of view, positive signals so far.
For years, the professional association of heat pumps in Switzerland (FWS) has aimed to promote and disseminate the use of heat pumps in heating and cooling systems as well as energy recovery. Stephan Peterhans, Managing Director FWS, and Marc Bätschmann, Project Manager FWS, moderated the popular event with numerous interesting specialist presentations in a confident and friendly manner. For the first time, the FWS conference could also be followed online.
Best practice projects
In his presentation, David Zogg, lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland NW, presented the energy systems that have been implemented for buildings and energy. In this context, various installations with self-consumption optimization were evaluated and the ratio of self-consumption to self-sufficiency was recorded. The monthly energy values over a whole year, for example, showed good optimization in the transitional periods in an area in Möriken AG. Due to the production surplus in the summer, electromobility could be expanded. In winter, electricity was drawn from the grid. A battery would not provide any benefit in this object since no surplus was produced. In total, only 1200 kWh of electricity was required per person per year, which is very interesting in terms of energy and economy.
In conclusion, Zogg stated that early planning involving all those involved is absolutely necessary. Furthermore, the PV heat pump planning principles should be observed for all installations so that the systems can be optimally coordinated. Correct adjustment of the systems is crucial. The optimization of the PV-HP has the highest potential in the transitional periods. In winter, on the other hand, an efficient system that includes the building, heat pump and control components is crucial.
David Zogg also pointed out that during the summer months the excess should not be "burnt away" with electric inserts, but should be used sensibly. Charging electric vehicles or feeding them back into the grid are more optimal. Ongoing monitoring and optimization of the system during operation are required.
The car becomes an electrical storage device
This interesting technology was demonstrated to the interested audience by Hans Fischer, co-owner of Solar Manager AG. Current electric cars usually have a battery of more than 50 kWh and are therefore able to cover the average range of a Swiss person of around 40 km per day for a week without recharging (5 days of 40 km total 200 km; with 18 kWh / 100 km results in a consumption of 36 kWh).
If you commute an above-average 100 km every day with a VW ID.4 or comparable vehicle with a 77kWh battery, you could easily master the working week with just 3 kWh recharging per day (with a consumption of approx. 18 kWh / 100 km). This energy can often be charged from the PV system after work.
The average night-time consumption of a single-family house with a heat pump is between 5 and 15 kilowatt hours. Charging and discharging from the electric car can be adjusted in such a way that this night-time consumption can be obtained from the car. The charge level up to which the car's energy should be made available to the house can be individually defined and set. The following dimensions can help to visualize the potential, Fischer explained. The current vehicle batteries are up to 5 times larger than the average house storage of 10 to 15 kWh used in a single-family house. Since the resources for the production of a vehicle battery are very high and the large battery is typically only fully used once a month on average for a long journey, it is all the more sustainable to use the battery in two ways. Compatible vehicles for this technology are now limited to a few manufacturers.
Project overview FWS
Marc Bätschmann, FWS project manager, presented an overview of the “Building & Mobility Energy System” project. The building energy system provides heating and electricity for the household and mobility for the residents. Networked, intelligent, decentralized systems that are largely - but not completely - independent of the power grid are emerging, which must be reliable and stable. Electricity should quickly replace fossil fuels, mobile and immobile will be electrified. The nationwide power grid becomes a bottleneck. In order to relieve the grid, buildings are developing from consumers to prosumers through the production of electricity with photovoltaics on roofs and facades.
For coordinated networking, the association created the "Energy System Buildings & Mobility" initiative. With the initiative, the FWS would like to inform the stakeholders of the public, legislators, builders and experts through open, transparent communication about the added value that arises from such overall systems and to break down any existing prejudices. Furthermore, common knowledge should be built up and existing knowledge should be disseminated. Using the know-how of the FWS and its networks together and thus combining our strengths so that our concerns can be heard as much as possible. Best practice examples should be identified, processed and reported on.
Delivery situation of heat pumps
Due to the sharp rise in demand for heat pumps in the European markets and the existing delivery bottlenecks for various components, unusually long delivery times are repeatedly occurring. Markus Giger, Managing Director of AIT Switzerland, reported to the specialist audience on the current delivery situation at home and abroad.
According to estimates, growth from 2022 to 2023 should be around 15 to 20 percent. Manufacturers and suppliers are forecasting around 40,000 heat pumps to be ordered this year. Renovations are said to have the largest market share. Markus Giger also reported that the construction of an additional production site had started in a neighboring industrial area from the headquarters of AIT Germany. The new plant aims to double production capacity and create around 400 new jobs. This is very positive news. According to Giger, the heat pump manufacturers allocate annual quotas to the various markets. What is known from air conditioners is a novelty with heat pumps. However, one can be curious about the development of the WP market.
Challenge of security of supply
The concluding presentation was given by Kristin Brockhaus, Association of Swiss Electricity Companies VSE, on the highly topical issue of "electricity shortages". In contrast to a power failure (blackout), power is available in a power shortage, but to a reduced extent. In the event of a power shortage, the demand for electrical energy exceeds the available supply for several days, weeks or months due to insufficient production and import capacities. How is it in Switzerland now?
According to Kristin Brockhaus, the risk of a power shortage is large and real. There are major dependencies and risks in Europe. There is also a great deal of uncertainty regarding electricity production in the EU. Switzerland is a net importer in the winter months and a net exporter in the summer. From a technical supply point of view, Switzerland is in the import phase and everything must be done to prevent a power shortage.
The federal government has already decided on initial measures to prevent shortages:
- The introduction of hydropower reserve and reserve power plants (oil/gas) already for the winter of 2022/23.
- Launch of the winter energy-saving initiative at the end of August (WESPI, August 31, 2022)
- Temporary voltage increase (Bickingen-Chippis; Bassecourt-Mühleberg) from 220 kV to 380 kV.
- Temporary reduction in the amount of residual water so that more water is available for electricity production.
Dealing with electricity concerns us all, and only together can we prevent a power shortage from occurring.
Stephan Peterhans took the final word on this exciting day and said goodbye to the guests, who were able to set off on their way home with a lavish bouquet of information.
