How does thermal energy storage interact with smart home technologies?

Thermal energy storage (TES) and smart home technologies work together to optimise heating and energy use in UK homes and small businesses by storing heat when it is most efficient or cheapest and releasing it when needed. This interaction helps reduce energy bills, lower carbon emissions, and enhance overall energy system flexibility.

How Thermal Energy Storage Works with Smart Home Technologies

Thermal energy storage systems act like a "heat battery," storing thermal energy — usually heat generated by renewable sources or cheap electricity — to be used later for space heating or hot water. Smart home technologies use sensors, controls, and algorithms to manage this storage efficiently by deciding the best times to charge (store heat) and discharge (use heat) based on several factors:

• Electricity prices: Smart systems can store heat when electricity is cheapest, often during off-peak hours or when renewable energy (wind or solar) generation is high.
• Grid demand: Shifting heat production to times of low grid demand helps balance the electricity network and avoid costly peaks.
• Occupant behaviour: Smart thermostats learn and adapt to occupant patterns, ensuring stored heat is used effectively without waste.
• Renewable integration: When paired with heat pumps powered by renewables, TES ensures stored heat is available even when wind or solar production dips.

For example, in the UK’s recent EXTEND project, homes use heat pumps to charge large heat batteries with renewable energy, storing thermal energy for heating and hot water on demand. Smart controls optimise when these batteries charge and discharge, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel boilers and helping balance local grid loads.

Real-World Applications and UK-Specific Developments

• The EXTEND project, funded by the UK government since 2022, trials this technology in UK homes, showcasing how TES combined with smart tech can replace fossil fuel boilers and use wind energy effectively.
• Smart thermostats such as the Passiv Smart Thermostat enable real-time management of thermal storage, lowering household energy costs and emissions by shifting demand to the cleanest, cheapest times of day.
• UK energy policies encourage such solutions to decarbonise heating, which currently accounts for a large share of household carbon emissions.

Practical Advice for UK Homeowners and Small Businesses

Key Benefits

• Reduced energy bills: Storing heat during cheaper, off-peak electricity periods lowers overall costs.
• Lower carbon footprint: Using stored renewable heat reduces reliance on gas boilers.
• Increased comfort: Smart controls maintain consistent temperatures by managing heat storage intelligently.
• Grid support: Shifting demand away from peak times contributes to a more resilient energy system.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Poor integration: Installing TES without smart controls reduces efficiency and cost savings.
• Ignoring insulation: Thermal storage works best in well-insulated buildings to minimise heat loss.
• Over or under-sizing storage: Incorrectly sized storage leads to wasted capacity or insufficient heat availability.

Tips for Effective Use

• Combine TES with renewable-powered heat pumps and smart thermostats for best results.
• Regularly update smart home software to benefit from improved algorithms and grid signals.
• Monitor your heating patterns and adjust settings to maximise demand shifting and comfort.

Summary

Thermal energy storage interacts with smart home technologies by enabling flexible, efficient use of heat stored when renewable electricity is abundant or cheap. UK initiatives like the EXTEND project demonstrate that integrating TES with smart controls can decarbonise heating, reduce energy bills, and support the electricity grid. For homeowners and small businesses, adopting these technologies with proper sizing, insulation, and expert installation offers significant benefits while avoiding common pitfalls.