Re:Wind and solar are cheaper than thought, admits UK govern...
by pbhjpbhj on Friday August 28, 2020 @07:13AM
(#24303537)
Way back when we had immersion water heater with a big insulated tank in a cupboard in the house (a was common in UK then) we'd switch the heater on when we needed it. An hour before having a bath say.
Where has is available most people have Combi boilers in the UK, very little or no storage, instant hot water in demand.
The idea would be that you notice the electric price is negative (or a control system 'notices' for you) and turn your immersion heater on. The water retains enough heat you have plenty of time to use that water.
If we have excess solar this is an inefficient but easy way to slurp it up. Hydroelectric pumped storage would probably be better but grid capacity for that seems low.
Where has is available most people have Combi boilers in the UK, very little or no storage, instant hot water in demand.
The idea would be that you notice the electric price is negative (or a control system 'notices' for you) and turn your immersion heater on. The water retains enough heat you have plenty of time to use that water.
If we have excess solar this is an inefficient but easy way to slurp it up. Hydroelectric pumped storage would probably be better but grid capacity for that seems low.