To combat congestion, heat pumps offer an opportunity, provided they are switchable. In case of an imminent blackout, it enables grid operators to temporarily reduce the energy demand of these large energy consumers in an area without loss of comfort. A controllable heat pump also has benefits for its user. The owner can use their smart heat pump to respond to the availability of cheaper green energy or optimize their connection. A switchable heat pump can thus contribute to both relieving pressure on the electricity grid and reducing the energy bill for a resident.
Some conclusions from the report "Toward Flexible Control of Heat Pumps in Two Steps," prepared by Technolution, Business Development Holland (BDH), and Silentric on behalf of the Flexiblepower Alliance Network (FAN), TKI Urban Energy, and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).