Expanding the horizons of power-to-heat: Cost assessment for new space heating concepts with Wind Powered Thermal Energy Systems

Highlights: • First comprehensive analysis of the cost of heat generated directly from wind. • Wind Powered Thermal Energy Systems (WTES) competitive to conventional heating technologies. • WTES with mechanical heat pumps more cost-effective than with electrical heat pumps. • WTES are a new dimension of the power-to-heat-to-power technology. Wind Powered Thermal Energy Systems (WTES) are the entirety of all conceivable combinations that consist of wind energy converters and thermal energy storage facilities. Although there is still a pressing demand for innovative technological solutions that allow the decarbonization of power and especially heat supply, comparative costs assessments that include the direct conversion of wind energy into heat are pending. In this paper, we conduct such an analysis for the first time. In particular, a techno-economic analysis based on the calculation of levelized costs of heat supply (LCOE) is presented. The novelty of this study is the comparison of five specific WTES concepts which either make use of electric boilers, hydro-dynamic retarders or heat pumps. The spectrum of applications considered ranges from heat supply for individual buildings to small villages and cities. We design generic models of the WTES concepts under consideration, taking into account component dimensioning, cost structures and efficiency parameters. The results show that LCOE below 5 c€/kWh can be reached. This indicates already competitiveness compared to conventional space heating technologies. In this means, we provide a systematic framework for future studies to evaluate the particular economic potentials of WTES in the energy market.