SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy plc) has entered into a strategic agreement with Dimplex (Glen Dimplex Group) to develop and deploy systems and products which can support the decarbonisation of electrical heating.

SSE is the UK’s leading generator of electricity from renewable sources and has over five million electricity supply customers and Dimplex is the world’s largest electrical heating business.

The UK government’s Annual Energy Statement, published in July 2010, stated that ‘we cannot continue to rely on gas, or oil, for our heating needs indefinitely’ and that the country’s future heat supply will require increased electrification.

SSE and Dimplex plan to:
• work together on developing systems for storing energy from the electricity grid in, for example, thermal storage heating devices or water heating devices; and
• work together on investment in, and the development and manufacture of, new heating products using new technologies.

In this way, the companies expect to develop systems and products such as heat pumps which can maximise the use of zero carbon electricity when it is available from technologies such as wind and solar photovoltaics and have the ability to store it for use during periods of peak demand. They are also aiming to invest in communication systems required to make these technologies work together to achieve the maximum energy efficiency.

Ian Marchant, Chief Executive of SSE, said: “The transition to a low carbon energy system is already under way, and electricity produced from renewable sources is at its heart. Electricity will play a major part in meeting demand for heat over the next few decades. By combining technologies and systems, I believe our partnership with Dimplex will mark a major step forward towards the era of ‘smart heat’.”

Sean O’Driscoll, Chief Executive of Glen Dimplex Group, said: “This agreement is about combining the complementary capabilities of SSE and Glen Dimplex to bring to the market products and systems which deliver energy efficiency, carbon reduction and renewable generation.

“Glen Dimplex is the largest electrical heating company in the world and is the market leader in Europe on heat pump technology. Working with a major utility like SSE, ensures that the products and systems we develop are matched exactly with the needs of homeowners and the utilities.”