A UK foresight study of materials in decarbonisation technologies : the case of heat pumps

Zils, M.; Einarsson, S.; Hopkinson, P.. 2024 A UK foresight study of materials in decarbonisation technologies : the case of heat pumps. Nottingham, UK, British Geological Survey, 41pp. (CR/24/147N) (Unpublished)

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Abstract/Summary

emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. About 37 per cent of UK emissions in 2016 were attributed to heating, with space heating and hot water accounting for 21 per cent of the total, amounting to 98 megatonnes (Mt) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) (WesternPower, 2022). Heating remains one of the largest sources of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions (BEIS, 2018). Heat pumps are an important low-carbon heating technology, which, in conjunction with improved building insulation, are expected to play a significant role in decarbonisation of the heating and hot water provision in the UK. Achieving these objectives will require up to 600 000 new installations every year by 2028 (HPA, 2019, 2023; WesternPower, 2022). Heat pumps also offer an attractive route to rapid decarbonisation. Given a short lead time of two to four years to manufacture and install, heat pumps can be scaled significantly faster than other major decarbonisation technologies such as hydrogen technologies and wind power generation (EHPA, 2024; IEA, 2023). Gas is currently the dominant heating source for more than 24 million homes and businesses in the UK (BEIS, 2018). Heat pumps have a lower life-cycle carbon footprint but are significantly more material intensive than gas boilers (IEA, 2023; WesternPower, 2022). Given the current aggressive demand projections for heat pumps in the UK and overseas, a better understanding of the materials used in heat pumps and their supply chain challenges will help to inform policy decisions.

Item Type:	Publication - Report
Funders/Sponsors:	British Geological Survey, Department for Business & Trade, University of Exeter
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This item has been internally reviewed, but not externally peer-reviewed.
Date made live:	21 May 2025 11:42 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/539474

Item Type:

Publication - Report

Funders/Sponsors:

British Geological Survey, Department for Business & Trade, University of Exeter

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

This item has been internally reviewed, but not externally peer-reviewed.

Date made live:

21 May 2025 11:42 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/539474