Thermal Digital Solutions

TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS

Over the last decade, revolutionary advances in energy technologies have enabled the transition to a new energy world. Most people have failed to notice the rapid changes.

Solar panels generating electricity are revolutionising rooftops. The passive collection of power has made millions of households aware that they can reduce their energy bills. Eliminating the release of carbon dioxide is a marvellous bonus. Photovoltaic technology is advancing rapidly. Panels can generate more power even when set at a less than idea aspect.  They also last longer. Due to the increased output the payback period of investing in solar panels can be as little as four years depending upon the relative price of electricity compared to fossil fuels. Solar power can be used directly within a household or can be exported to the grid for which there is usually a payment depending upon the arrangements with the electricity supply company. This payment goes some way towards offsetting the household energy costs.

Electric batteries enable you to balance the supply and demand of power in your property. You can use them to capture power when the sun is shining and use the energy when you need it.  You can use electric batteries to store energy at night when electricity is cheap. Having an electric battery enables you to consume electricity at the lowest rates possible.  The price of electric batteries (£/kWh) has been plummeting as new chemistries are developed. They are now standard installations alongside solar panels. They last for years.

Heat batteries are a way of storing energy directly. The traditional example is a hot water tank. The market has been transformed by the introduction of new phase change materials which store energy within their crystalline structure with little heat loss compared to water cylinders. These are ideal for being able to heat up water on demand.  Heat can often be effectively stored in the ground between seasons.  Heat diverted to the ground during the summer for cooling maybe recovered in the winter for heating. 

Heat Pumps move heat from one place to another.  Domestic heat pumps move heat from outside the house to inside the house.  Refrigerators move heat from the inside to the outside. Air conditioning units are heat pumps. The heat can be in any form – air or water. They are extremely efficient. Air-to-air heat pumps output (or absorb) much more heat than their energy input. Heat pumps are replacing gas boilers which will eventually be discontinued. Heat can also be gathered from the ground with ground-source heat pumps.

Energy Neutral Houses

New houses must have much better energy efficiency. Ideally the annual energy bill will be zero.  They will have solar panels, heat pumps and batteries. They will be designed to generate and store power on site. They will have highly effective insulation to minimise the need to replace heat lost.  Heat exchangers will capture heat from air and water leaving the house. Mechanical ventilation systems will ensure that stale, damp air will be replaced by filtered dry fresh air.  South and west facing walls and windows will have shading to reduce solar gain.