According to a report from the UK trade association BEAMA, alternative heating technologies may unlock as much as 10 gigawatts of flexibility before 2030.

BEAMA or the British Electrochemical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association has revealed (through a recent report) the potential for thermal energy storage systems to provide close to 10 gigawatts.

According to BEAMA, this increased sustainability and unlocking of renewable potential will allow the Climate Change Committee to reach the goals of the 7th carbon budget.

This represents surpassing the forecast from the National Grid’s ESO Clean Power 2030 Pathway of 4 gigawatts by more than an x2 factor.

According to BEAMA’s Strategy Director, a clearer range of technologies are needed for consumers to choose from, with a flexible selection of electric heat and hot water systems.

Along with the potential for job growth and meeting key climate goals, the development of new clean heating solutions is seen as essential to fighting fuel poverty, which continues to affect millions of households nationwide.

Heat pump technology will likely see further evolution toward more affordability and efficiency, however, one key challenge to date is the upfront cost of installation significantly exceeding that of gas boilers.

Heat pumps are generally priced at around £10,000 to £15,000, though the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can reduce the cost to £7,500 for eligible households.

With this in mind, additional clean heat technologies will likely play a key role in the adoption of more green and also affordable heating technologies.

There is also a case to make for a further extension of supports, including with the introduction of new supports, while widespread adoption of carbon-free heating is being figured out as an ongoing process.

Ultimately, the growth of alternative renewables may prove a key addition to commonplace renewable energy technologies as the UK leans into its energy efficiency and climate targets.

This also comes after a recent report found the UK has just surpassed 50% renewables-generated electricity, a 6.5% jump from 2023.

The UK’s renewable energy capacity now stands at 4.2 Gigawatts, with offshore wind accounting for almost half of new renewable capacity yearly. The government is aiming for 100% clean electricity by 2030.