Who Will Lead The Future of Home Heating with Johan du Plessis | The Fully Charged Podcast
Mar 20, 2024
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In this discussion, Johan du Plessis, founder and CEO of Tepeo, delves into the future of home heating. He highlights the need for zero-emission heating solutions like Tepeo's innovative Zero Emission Boiler (ZEB). Johan contrasts ZEB with traditional heat pumps, emphasizing its plug-and-play features and energy efficiency. The talk also covers how technology, including advanced software and AI, can revolutionize heating management and reduce carbon footprints. With a strong call for policy reform, Johan envisions a sustainable shift in domestic heating.
The transition from traditional heating to zero emission solutions like Tepeo's ZEB highlights the necessity for innovative, scalable technologies to reduce household emissions.
Incorporating smart technology within the ZEB allows for flexible energy management, resulting in cost savings and promoting sustainable energy consumption practices.
Deep dives
Importance of Zero Emission Heating
Domestic heating accounts for 14% of total emissions in the UK, making it a critical area for reductions in greenhouse gases. Despite its significance, only 1% of homes currently utilize heat pumps, highlighting the urgent need for scalable solutions. Tepio's zero emission boilers (ZEBS) present a promising alternative to traditional heating systems and could play a vital role in addressing these emissions. The podcast emphasizes the importance of innovative technologies and their potential to substantially reduce carbon footprints in domestic settings.
Understanding Tepio's Zero Emission Boiler
Tepio's zero emission boiler, or Zeb, serves as a plug-and-play replacement for existing fossil fuel boilers, providing high temperature heating without the typical complexities associated with heat pump installations. The Zeb utilizes a high-density thermal energy storage system, storing approximately 40 kilowatt hours of energy, which allows homeowners to purchase electricity at lower costs during off-peak times. This energy storage capability enables efficient use and cost savings while minimizing reliance on conventional heating methods. The conversation highlights how this innovative product contributes to both decarbonization and cost-effective solutions for households.
Flexibility and Smart Energy Management
The incorporation of smart technology into the Zeb boiler enables a flexible energy management system that aligns heating needs with fluctuating electricity prices. By utilizing machine learning, the Zeb can predict heating demands based on users' habits and optimize energy procurement accordingly. This adaptability allows homeowners to significantly reduce their energy costs, encouraging more sustainable energy consumption patterns. Moreover, it promotes broader energy system flexibility as more households adopt similar technologies, ultimately supporting the integration of renewable energy sources.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Decarbonization Market
The podcast discusses the regulatory environment and market conditions that impact the adoption of zero emission heating technologies. Current subsidies favor heat pumps, making it challenging for innovative products like the Zeb to gain traction despite their cost-effectiveness. Tepio's leadership advocates for a more technology-agnostic approach to support a wider range of solutions for decarbonizing domestic heating. The focus on addressing these obstacles is crucial for accelerating the transition to cleaner energy solutions across the UK.
Replacing a traditional form of domestic heating like gas or oil and moving to a zero emission solution can be a daunting task. And typically many of us never consider updating a boiler until it breaks, and at that point you just want a quick and easy no fuss solution.
In today’s podcast Imogen speaks with Johan du Plessis, founder and CEO at Tepeo, about the array of options available for those looking to decarbonise their domestic heating systems. With ASHP being one of the options, but one that can take some advance planning, Johan shares more about how Tepeo’s Zero Emission Boiler, or ZEB, could be the ‘like for like’ boiler replacement solution you need when you find yourself having to make that distress purchase.