Case 4 - Primary Energy vs Global Warming

In previous case studies, the best available fossil fuel-based heating system was compared with the best available electric heating system. A relatively outdated technology of heaters, however, may in the future prove to imply the environmentally cleaner solution. Night storage (or accumulation) heaters are electric appliances that produce and store heat overnight when electricity from the grid is cheaper due to a situation of more available provision than demand, and release it throughout the day.

Although intended more as an economical incentive for customers, the long-term environmental consequences are worth considering and revisiting.

On the one hand, using night time electricity may redistribute the power demand over day slightly better resulting in so-called peak-shaving, or a decrease in the peak-time energy demand. This effect is very difficult to quantify though and is therefore purely speculative.

On the other hand, future power grid mixes may contain sufficiently high shares of renewable resources that make it possible to (partially) shut down the fossil-fuel based plants overnight. While electricity is still consumed, and the losses through the grid are considerable (~65%), the benefits in terms of emissions can become significant, and shall be investigated with this case study.