03 January 2025
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The Association of European Refrigeration Component Manufacturers (ASERCOM) has released a statement addressing the role of heat pumps in stabilising electrical grids during emergency situations. This comes in response to ongoing efforts by the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) and ENTSO-E to integrate heat pumps into future grid stability frameworks.
Christian Ellwein, Head of ASERCOM’s Working Group Electronics and Controls, emphasises the technical details of the recommendations: “Heat pumps offer thermal flexibility, enabling short-term load reductions without compromising their operational integrity. However, we strongly recommend prioritising measures such as gradual load reductions through frequency inverters or adaptive operating points before resorting to emergency disconnections. Furthermore, critical components, such as safety devices and sensors, must remain operational even during grid stabilisation interventions to avoid potential damage.”
ASERCOM President Marco Masini underscores the broader implications at a European level: “The integration of heat pumps into grid stability frameworks reflects the EU’s commitment to a resilient, renewable-based energy system. However, we must strike a balance between technical feasibility and regulatory measures, ensuring that grid stabilisation solutions are carefully tailored and do not jeopardise complex applications or industrial processes.”
ASERCOM’s recommendations focus on residential and light commercial heat pumps, stressing the importance of limiting disconnections to severe emergencies and adopting preventive strategies to mitigate grid instability.
www.asercom.org/statements
