Re: xkcd: Neighbor-Source Heat Pump

Scott Dorsey <kludge@panix.com> schrieb:

Thomas Koenig  <tkoenig@netcologne.de> wrote:

Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> schrieb:
>

Oil for heating is the worst thing ever.  Expensive and dirty.

>
What qualities of oil are used in the US for heating?
>
Here in Germany, it is a light fuel oil, pretty much identical to
Diesel (they add dye to it to make sure it isn't used in vehicles
because the two are taxed differentiy).  It is also low on sulphur,
if that is what you were referring to.  Plus, emission limits are
pretty strict and checked anually.

>
Yes, we have #2 Fuel Oil, which is like a poor quality diesel.  It's not
filtered very well and it has a lot more varnish-making stuff in it.  But
overall composition is similar but it's not as well-refined.
>
It burns way cleaner than maritime HFO, but it's still very dirty compared
with burning natural gas or propane.

Hm, different grades, probably.  Here, people burn the grade "EL low
sulphur" with < 50 mg/L of sulphur.  That low value is required for
condensing boilers, or the water would have to be treated before
being put into the waste water.

The difference between a modern oil burner and a gas burner is
relatively small.

Some people will use #1 Fuel Oil which is thicker and burns less cleanly,
especially in rural areas.  It has more sulfur in it than diesel or #2.

Not permitted here...

But there is also a huge, politically motivated push for heat pumps
over here.  The "builing energy law" from 2024 mandates a switch
to renewable energy for heating.

So... in the winter, there is less sun, and there are also
periods of very low wind, so there will be less electricity.
(The combination is known as "Dunkelflaute" (dark calm).  During the
same time, because it's cold, heat demand will be high, and because
it's cold, the efficiency of heat pumps will also be reduced.
So we will have a very high electricity demand at a time when there
is little electricity to be had.  The solution?  Give people heat
pumps which can be switched off remotely.  Also, make the requirements
for fireplaces (heated by wood) more stringent, so people with
old fireplaces are not allowed to use them in that case.

It makes perfect sense; I just can't figure out what it is.