How heat pumps can play a role in Chile’s 2050 net-zero push

Simply put, heat pumps use electricity to transfer even small amounts of heat from a cool space to a warm space, and vice versa.

Energy-efficient units, they are being championed in the US and Europe as a tool to reduce carbon emissions produced by heating and cooling buildings.

Chile, where the systems could be used particularly to substitute the likes of wood-burning or kerosene stoves, has taken initial steps along the heat pump highway against the backdrop of a 2050 carbon neutrality push.  

ALSO READ: Spreading heat pump benefit awareness seen necessary to help spur Chile adoption

To find out more, BNamericas speaks with Rodrigo Barraza, an academic and researcher at Chile’s solar energy research center SERC and at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez’s energy transition research center CENTRA and the faculty of engineering and science.

BNamericas: In Chile, what role could heat pumps play in the context of decarbonization and the 2050 goal?

Barraza: There are heat pumps that serve primarily two purposes: air heating and water heating. 

Air-heating pumps are integrated into air conditioning systems found in homes or offices. The second type, which heat water, can be used for domestic water heating, for hot water-based heating systems, or for industrial processes. 

Regardless of type, heat pumps are known for their ability to provide heating, or heat for processes, and have energy output that is three to four times as great as the electrical energy that they draw from the grid.

Their role in decarbonization becomes significant when they replace systems that use fossil fuels like natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene or diesel.

According to the grid coordinator [CEN], 238g of CO2 equivalent [CO2e] was emitted for each kWh of electricity generated [in 2023], down 21% from the previous year, reflecting the penetration of renewables – 63% of the total – in the energy matrix.

In terms of CO2e emissions and considering domestic heating applications, based on 1kWh thermal, a heat pump emits 60g CO2e, an electric fan heater 238g CO2e, a natural gas heater 197g CO2e, and a kerosene heater 245g CO2e. Clearly, heat pumps have a lower impact in terms of CO2 emissions and contribute to decarbonization when they replace more traditional heating systems.

BNamericas: What are the enabling factors? For example, cost, subsidies, regulations, availability?

Barraza: The main barriers are the lack of knowledge about the technology and its benefits. Also, in some cases, it could be that they have a high initial investment cost, but this is recovered through annual savings because of lower operating costs compared to their alternatives.

Following the above example, based on 1kWh thermal. A heat pump costs 33 pesos [US$0.03] per kWh, an electric fan heater 130 pesos, a natural gas heater 160 pesos, and a kerosene heater 100 pesos. Savings range between 100 and 130 pesos, depending on the fuel being replaced.

The use of combustion systems also has other disadvantages, such as indoor air pollution from particulate matter emissions, which is harmful to health and can exacerbate respiratory diseases. When emissions are released outdoors, they contribute to worsening air quality in cities.

BNamericas: What is the situation regarding research, development and adoption of this technology? For example, there seems to be at least one pilot project.

Barraza: Heat pumps are mature technologies, at least in terms of air heating and of water-heating for domestic heating and hot water applications, having surpassed the research and development stage. 

Heat pump research and development now focuses on integration with renewable energies or applications requiring temperatures above 100°C. In terms of research into integration with renewables, this is system-focused, with the objective of achieving system synergies rather than conducting empirical studies into the pumps themselves.

BNamericas: Is there a country or regulatory framework that could serve as a model or example for Chile?

Barraza: I don’t think that a regulatory framework is needed beyond initiatives already being driven forward by the sustainable energy agency and the energy ministry, given the advantages of heat pumps in terms of low CO2e emissions and low operating costs.

The 2022-26 national energy efficiency plan suggests advancing technological innovation to improve energy efficiency by using low-carbon electricity (currently 63% renewable) as the primary source for building heating. This plan also indicates that the energy and environment ministries will promote heating system replacement initiatives to accelerate the adoption of more efficient technologies, such as heat pumps.

BNamericas: When could we expect this segment to take off, and are there specific regions or types of buildings leading the way?

Barraza: To accelerate the adoption of heat pumps, I believe it is advisable to pursue both public and private approaches. Publicly, in addition to the previously mentioned heating system replacement programs, the installation of heat pumps for hot water provision and for central heating systems should be promoted for new public buildings. This is already common practice in new hospitals. 

In terms of the private sector, electricity utilities could take a more active role and form partnerships with construction companies to prioritize heat pump systems over gas boilers in new buildings.