Electricity from co-operatively owned wind farms powering thermal batteries to produce clean home heat on demand. That’s the vision of two energy firms, Sunamp and Ripple.
Sunamp, which makes heat batteries, has signed a collaboration deal with Ripple Energy, a green power ownership platform and community wind farm developer, to provide heat batteries to Ripple’s members. The two claim they can enable 40 per cent reductions in household carbon emissions, citing Committee on Climate Change figures.
Based on phase-change materials (PCM), Sunamp’s thermal batteries were co-developed initially with Edinburgh University’s chemistry department. They replace bulky hot water tanks with compact units, filled with an energy-dense patented liquid. Under charge from electricity or other zero carbon energy, sachets of the non-toxic, easily sourced solution release heat instantaneously via chemical reaction, providing hot water and home warmth.
Sunamp claims the batteries’ chemistry underpins unit working lives up to 50 years, and beats other green heat technologies for cost of output. The firm’s tech is scalable into commercial applications. The batteries (60kWh on a pallet, multiple MWh in a shipping container) can also provide cooling.
The technology can also provide heat for district heating. Earlier this month, the company was awarded a place on the Crown Commercial Service’s heat networks framework.
Founded in 2017, London-based Ripple Energy enables members to invest in part-ownership of the UK wind-farms it co-develops.
Ripple CEO and founder Sarah Merrick said the partnership enables people to heat their homes and cut carbon emissions via “their very own wind farm”.
Sunamp CEO and founder Andrew Bissell said the two are “delighted to offer zero-carbon heating and hot water solutions” to Ripple members.
“We have a shared ambition to bring new choices for consumers who care about home comfort, efficiency and the environment,” he added.
Related stories:
Regen: Carbon tax required to decarbonise heat
Emerging solutions: Can wind, rocks, coal mines and salt decarbonise heat?
Net Zero: How to decarbonise heat?
Click here to see if you qualify for a free subscription to the print edition or to renew.
Follow us at @EnergystMedia. For regular bulletins, sign up for the free newsletter.
