British air heat pump product market has a rapid development momentum

At the 4th European Heat Pump Forum held in London recently, the UK introduced its potentially huge heat pump market, reviewed the 2010 heat pump market, and interpreted a new regulation, the Renewable Thermal Incentive Program (RHI). At present, the United Kingdom prefers the use of air source heat pumps. RHI encourages investment in heat pump products. In the past two years, the British heat pump market has developed rapidly.

In this forum, KARLOSCHNER, secretary general of the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), delivered an opening speech and pointed out the challenges faced by the heat pump market in the past two years. At the same time, he also proposed that the UK is a potential market. This is one of the reasons for this meeting in London. EHPA pointed out that the heat pump is a reliable, efficient and independent energy product, and its application prospects include smart grids, industrial heat pumps, energy recovery and district heating.

During the forum, Ms. KELLY BUTLER from the British Association of Electrical and Related Manufacturers (BEAMA) pointed out that the UK market tends to air source heat pumps, which accounts for 80-90% of the total market sales. The main reasons include two points. First, fuel prices rose by 24% in 2010 alone. Second, more stringent regulations for new housing were introduced.

Although the trend of the entire market tending to air source heat pumps is very obvious, the actual absolute value of sales is still not much. Ms BUTLER pointed out that the biggest factor hindering the market lies in "We live in a market dominated by gas and feel that its price is very cheap." This has led to the fact that there are currently 100,000 heating products in the UK that rely on gas. The way to change this status is to formulate new policies, including training, and encourage 8,000 installers to install 200,000 heat pumps a year. The "low-carbon conversion plan" issued by the British government indicates that by 2050, CO2 emissions will be reduced by 80%, which requires us to "use electricity to achieve our heating and transportation." To achieve this goal, we need to build more efficient and advanced power infrastructure equipment and improve the smart grid system.

In addition, the government's heat pump incentive plan also presents a huge market opportunity for switching to heat pump products. The goal is to install 200,000 heat pumps each year by 2015 and achieve 1.2 million to 1.4 million installations by 2020.

At this forum, the British Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Renewable Thermal Incentive Program (RHI) proposed that the purpose of this policy is to promote the transition from the use of fossil energy to the heating of renewable energy sources. RHI is only part of the work of DECC in support of renewable thermal energy. Other goals related to the energy system include: 15% renewable energy use in the UK by 2020. By 2050, the United Kingdom will reduce its CO2 emissions by 80%.

Heat pumps play an important role in today's market. The United Kingdom Government announced RHI in March 2011. The project will raise 860 million pounds in two phases: The first phase: Funding applications will begin in July 2011. At this stage, 15 million pounds will be granted to 25,000 users installing solar, biomass boilers, air-water and ground-source heat pump technologies in the Great Britain. Air source heat pumps are not included. The second phase: will extend to other areas including the RHI tax benefit policy. From the 10th of 2012, those who have obtained the first phase of funds will continue to enjoy the tax benefit policy. Of course, they will also include those installed after July 15, 2009, or use other approved technologies. RHI will take effect on August 1, 2011.