Heat
Heat is the largest energy end-use with over 50% of global final energy consumption
Heat is a form of energy that determines the temperature, volume, and state (gas, liquid or solid) of a material. It can be transferred from one object to another, to raise or lower temperatures, and is most commonly transferred from warmer to cooler matter. It can be produced by converting other forms of energy, such as chemical energy stored in fuels or electrical energy, in boilers, furnaces, pumps or electric heaters. Heat energy allows us to warm and cool our buildings, provides us with hot water and the ability to cook our food. Heat is also required for industrial production of steel, chemicals, food and drink.
Heat accounts for a large proportion of greenhouse gas emissions; the decarbonisation of heat is thus vital to reach emission reduction targets. With various means of production and range of uses embedded in all aspects of our lives, heat constitutes a complicated system that is difficult to lead down a single desired path. As such, fewer countries currently have policies for renewable heat than have policies for renewable electricity and transport.
Unlike electricity which can be decarbonised solely by feeding renewable energy into the grid, decarbonising heat also depends on changes at the point of use and may require millions of homes to replace their gas or oil-fired boilers with a new technology. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, since the fuel mix and the means of delivery to the end-user vary greatly from one country to another. Thus, a multiple-technology approach towards low carbon heat is most likely required, resulting in a mix of pathways. These could include electrification using heat pumps, using sustainably-produced hydrogen as a fuel, and setting up district heating networks which can incorporate a range of low-carbon heat sources as well as waste heat from various industrial and urban processes. Heat energy efficiency is also key for emissions reductions and advancements can be made in thermal performance of buildings (e.g. insulation) and the efficiency of heating systems. Wider deployment of combined heat and power (CHP), as it produces electricity and useful heat at the same time, can also help to improve the efficiency of the wider energy system. However, public acceptance, high upfront capital costs, and additional infrastructure and storage requirements pose significant challenges to implementing such transformations of the heat system.
Learn about the decarbonisation of heat by reading our Energy Insights.
Find out energy professionals’ expectations for the future sources of heat in the UK.
Learn more about the future of heat and its role in society by browsing our online New Energy World magazine records.
0%
of heat globally was consumed in industry, with another 46% used in buildings and the remainder used in agriculture in 2020 (IEA)
Nearly 0/0
of UK greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to heating (BEIS)
0%
of global heating equipment installed in 2020 were low carbon solutions, although this needs to rise to 80% in 2030 in the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (IEA)
0 million
heat pumps across the world were in operation in 2020, this is an increase of around 80 million since 2010 ( IEA )
What's new?
Heat pumps are three times more efficient than gas boilers, claims new study
22/03/2023
The Electrification of Heat Demonstration Project, carried out by Energy Systems Catapult, is examining the technical and practical feasibility and co...
UK budget extends energy subsidies and supports carbon capture and mini-nuclear reactors – but overlooks energy efficiency and renewables
22/03/2023
As anticipated, the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) has been extended for another three months, so the average household will pay no more than £2,500 a y...
European Commission proposes EU electricity market reform
22/03/2023
The EU has had an efficient, well-integrated electricity market for over 20 years, allowing consumers to reap the economic benefits of a single energy...
Decarbonised power system by 2035 ‘not possible’ at current pace of delivery
15/03/2023
A decarbonised power system is the ‘central requirement’ for achieving net zero in the UK and the prize for all modern economies, according to the lat...
UK North Sea flaring halved in just four years
15/03/2023
North Sea offshore gas flaring fell by 13% in 2022 to 22bn cf of gas, contributing to a total decrease of 50% since 2018, when volumes totalled 44bn c...
Events and training
Level 3: Advanced Energy Manager
09/10/2023
This 10-day course is an advanced qualification aiming to support experienced energy managers to further advance their careers by gaining the skills a...
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Research report: Application of life cycle assessment methodology to the understanding of the energy balance and efficiency of hydrogen value chain building blocks
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Guidelines for the assessment of ageing and life extension of non-metallic components in the offshore oil and gas industry, volume 2: composite equipment and repairs
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This document captures industry good practice, knowledge and learning on these elements of composite materials. This guidance will provide a star...
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