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How You Can Get Involved
Energy storage at scale leading to energy efficiency though electrification of buildings is recognised as a necessary economy-wide transformation needed to reach net zero.
Substantial electrification of surface transport and heat for buildings means that electricity demand is likely to at least double by 205014 and in future, it is likely that the majority of UK electricity generation will come from wind and solar,
Energy sector and other companies will need to invest in transmission and distribution system innovation including demand-side response. The UK has one of the largest markets for offshore wind a flexible energy system is essential for integrating high volumes of low carbon power.
To date, power system flexibility has largely been provided by fossil fuels, as we turn up or turn down coal or gas fired power stations. In the future, we need an energy system that matches new sources of demand to renewable generation. Informed by behavioural research, this will give end-users the opportunity to match consumption patterns to times of cheap low carbon electricity and gain greater control over their energy usage. Customer-focussed innovation across the supply chain, including industrial energy users as well as domestic consumers, could be the key to this transformation.
Developing solutions to increase grid operators’ visibility and awareness of energy assets (such as electric vehicles (EVs), EV charge points and domestic and industrial heat stores) can lead to faster, more complete, and more accurate registration data to be available to energy networks.
There is a need to predict the effect of information and communication technology platforms capable of coordinating Demand Side Response across distributed assets, including through standards for interoperability through R&D. We are supporting a R&D study to evaluate this which will take place in Estonia in spring 2025.
There is also a need for research, development and demonstration of our novel energy storage solutions for a range of durations and at appropriate storage and power capacity which will start with an initial validation and optimisation study at the University of East Anglia in Norwich in spring 2025.
There is a need to develop market platforms to efficiently coordinate flexible and decentralised supply and demand in the UK but this needs government buy in and support.
To achieve storage at scale throughout the UK we need to operate market platforms to efficiently coordinate flexible and decentralised supply and demand i.e., enabling multiple buyers (suppliers, networks, system operators) and multiple sellers (end-users, aggregators, local communities) to participate across markets, driving an optimised energy system, innovation, competition and maximising consumer participation. This is might be achieved by allowing competing manufacturers to licence IP or awarding the IP to a single entity able to drive the market.
The UK has around 30 million buildings which are collectively responsible for around 30% of total UK GHG emissions (direct and indirect). Most buildings currently rely on natural gas for heating, hot water and cooking, whilst others use electricity, oil, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) or solid fuels. Much of the UK’s existing building stock also has poor levels of energy efficiency; for example, approximately two-thirds of UK homes have an EPC rating of D or below, meaning that much of the heat generated is wasted. To reach net zero, virtually all heat in buildings must be decarbonised by 2050. For houses with poor levels of insulation our hybrid heat stores operating a higher temperature offers the option of decarbonising even the worst insulated homes.
For heat pumps there is the possibility to store energy when COP is high and store that energy, thus reducing the running costs and improving efficiency. Topping up the stores by use of an immersion heater gives longer storage for times when a there are power cuts. The SP2B operates at 15 watts and can rum off a torch battery!
Technology Validation & Development (Lead: Academic Partners)
Critical Manufacturing Innovation
Market Validation (Through Industry Partners)
Commercial Framework
Route to Market Strategy
Two parallel paths:
a) Through Licensees, for example,
b) Through Academic Partners
Development Funding Sources
Market positioning: “Grid-Responsive Thermal Storage Technology”
Key Differentiators:
This hybrid approach:
Progress in 2024
Whilst progress to gaining a grant of patent was rapid due to the very novel process described with innovative step, the roll out of the technology in 2024 has been hampered by the dysfunctional nature of the Energy and Offshore Catapults. Existing manufacturers appear to be protective of their previous investments in products which would become a stranded IP asset in the event a new and more effective product.
Existing manufactures supply the ‘Industry Experts’ who advise the Catapults and no doubt other organisations.
Existing manufacturers are effectively the ‘gate keepers’ to R&D funding through the Catapults and their associated organisations.
Proposals For 2025
General Overview
I wish to develop relationships with and support individuals and organisations that have a common interest in decarbonisation. My motivation is primarily philanthropic but I fully recognise the need for profit. Achieving energy storage at scale is prioritised above profit from the IP in my mind but I will support others wishing to make profits.
There is a need to complete the R&D Studies with the UEA & the R&D study in Estonia and to seek further studies and funding. Gaining validation from academic organisations in Spring 2025 will allow us to disseminate knowledge of this technology widely. Press releases and contact with the media will follow as soon as is appropriate.
We welcome contact with and support from individuals and organisations who share our our wish to decarbonise homes. My home town and county seems to have a wealth of individuals who can assist and bring local employment. I will prioritise my effort towards whatever appears to be an ‘open door’ and I will avoid pushing ‘close doors’ and closed minds.
Specific R&D in 2025
Retrofit Heat Stores
The ability to create a heat store by retrofitting a device costing less than £40 to the outside of and existing hot water cylinder was seen as a route to market in 2024 because 20% of homes have existing hot water tanks ripe for conversion. I will await the results from the UEA study which will allow me to customise the devises before progressing this. This was seen as a significant innovation by some but it was seen as a niche product not worthy of support by the catapults.
Solar Thermal
I have a large number of high quality solar panels imported directly from Greece which I am prepared to sell for £200 each. The normal cost in the UK for such panels would be £600. The panels were bought as a way of promoting my solar thermal process but after many prototypes I do not have confidence in the solar controller I have tried to develop. The process works fine when the controller works.
Hybrid Heating Systems
Unlike retrofit heat stores and solar thermal, hybrid heat stores uses not only my retrofit heat store device, but much more importantly my existing ShowerPowerBooster pumps (combined with features disclosed my ‘Pressure Enhancing Device’ patent).
The ability to integrate low cost heat stores into any existing gas, oil, or ASHP central heating or hot water system, is something missing from all those designing heat stores before me. The process ticks so many boxes in funding applications and is clearly not niche. The ShowerPowerBoosters required to drive the process are WRAS Approved, ready to sell in quantity, and they have a long proven history of boosting Combi Boilers and Radiators.
Alan Wright
December 28th 2024