Activating the electrical energy flexibility of residential thermal systems: an analysis of non-technical barriers in six countries

Decentralised energy flexibility in electricity systems faces a range of non-technical barriers that constrain widespread implementation. This study focuses on flexibility from residential heat pumps (HP), especially in combination with thermally activated building systems (TABS). It provides a comparative analysis of regulatory, financial and stakeholder-related barriers in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany and Spain. Besides these types of barriers, the cross-country analytical framework is structured around specific flexibility use cases and utilisation mechanisms, which are schemes and market structures through which end-users’ flexibility can be activated. The analysis is based on expert consultations and a systematic review of scientific literature, offering insights into the multi-dimensional nature of the identified barriers. The findings highlight a significant disconnect between the technological availability of flexibility from residential heating systems and implementation. The main identified barriers are perceived high initial costs in combination with uncertain return on investments, insufficient awareness among end-users and professionals, reinforced by the insufficiently adopted regulatory setting. Insufficient regulatory consideration was identified, particularly for TABS; shortcomings in current energy policy frameworks were observed.