Electrical Heating Emissions on the Island of Ireland

Abstract

This paper shows the effect on household greenhouse gas emissions if standalone or supplementary electric heating was to replace conventional heating methods, based on the present day electrical grid. While having the capability to improve future grid effectiveness and dynamic stability through the potential incorporation of demand side management (DSM). The All-Ireland system has been used in this paper as an example of a network which has been experiencing a significant increase in renewable generation. To show the potential of the electric heating methods the characteristics of existing domestic heating systems will be discussed, in terms of their heat output against their exhaust emissions (gCO2e/kWh). This will then be compared to that of the grid CO2 Intensity, showing the frequency and duration of the possible emission savings involved when using electricity as a main or supplementary heating source.