Electricity generator SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy plc) has entered into a strategic agreement with Dimplex to develop and deploy systems and products that can support the decarbonisation of electrical heating.
SSE and Dimplex plan to work together on:
· developing systems for storing energy from the electricity grid in, for example, thermal storage heating devices or water heating devices; and
· investment in, and the development and manufacture of, new heating products using new technologies.
The companies expect to develop systems and products such as heat pumps 'which can maximise the use of zero carbon electricity when it is available from technologies such as wind and solar photovoltaics and have the ability to store it for use during periods of peak demand'. They also aim to invest in communication systems required to make these technologies work together to achieve the maximum energy efficiency.
Ian Marchant, chief executive of SSE, said: 'The transition to a low carbon energy system is already underway, and electricity produced from renewable sources is at its heart. Electricity will play a major part in meeting demand for heat over the next few decades. By combining technologies and systems, I believe our partnership with Dimplex will mark a major step forward towards the era of 'smart heat'.'
Sean O'Driscoll, chief executive of Glen Dimplex Group, said: 'This agreement is about combining the complementary capabilities of SSE and Glen Dimplex to bring to the market products and systems which deliver energy efficiency, carbon reduction and renewable generation.'