Gas industry warned Replacing the existing boiler park in Spain with heat pumps As a solution for residential decarbonisation it “will not be possible in Spain” because it does not represent the best solution given the type of buildings in the country and Economic cost of 201,314 million euros.
In a report prepared by Sedigás together with Arthur D. Little, the employers’ association estimated that the replacement of the existing boiler park (approximately 11.1 million units between 8.9 million atmospheric and 2.2 million condensing) with aerothermal would require approximatelytwice as much public spending on national health and 15 times more than replacing high-efficiency gas boilers. Specifically, they emphasized that the commissioning of the heat pump requires an investment of approximately 18,000 euros, exceeding at least 90% of the average net disposable income.
We should also add that to the replacement of boilers with the solution of electrification of heat pumps: “high investment” in electricity infrastructureIn order to double the existing electricity distribution network for its supply.
The residential sector in Spain, however, starts with a different reality from other European countries, with a lower energy consumption than the European average – 17% of the total compared to 40%, and around 40% of this percentage is related to heating. The association estimates this means homes are responsible for 12-15% of total emissions, compared to 36% on the rest of the continent.
Therefore, in a press conference, Sedigás president Joan Batalla evaluated: the decarbonization We should focus on “energy efficiency” when it comes to home heating in Spain “Renewal of equipment and commitment to renewable gases, taking into account the country’s potential for biomethane, which allows to decarbonise almost all of the heating demand. “There is no need to replace already prepared equipment or new condensing boilers. “There are even percentages of hydrogen,” he added in this context.
Biomethane potential
The fact is that, according to gas employers’ estimates, Spain has a biomethane production potential of 163 terawatt hours (TWh) per year; This figure is a figure that can easily meet 100% of the domestic gas demand in the country.
War defended this There is no “single and special” alternative For home heating to be decarbonised, all available renewable options must be available, facilitating the principle of technological neutrality. In this context, Sedigás points out that the renewable nature of the heating system Depends on “fuel”, not technologyTherefore, electrification should not be seen as the only way to achieve decarbonization targets.
The gas industry did not ignore the heat pump as a system in this regard, as it could be a suitable solution for homes with high average disposable income and horizontal buildings, as in Northern European countries. In the case of Spain this is “practically impossible” adoption of aerothermal systems due to the space requirements they demand.