K.3.3.1 Flexible heat supply and sustainability
Because of the growing share of wind and solar energy in our electricity supply the electricity rates will be more volatile. In Germany, even negative rates occur regularly (Fraunhofer, 2016). Industrial companies can benefit from fluctuating electricity prices by using combined heat and power (CHP) during high rates and heat pumps and vapor recompression at low electricity rates. This hybrid energy supply leads to a robust energy supply system with heat pumps whereby companies are less vulnerable to fluctuations in the electricity market and are more attractive for shareholders with long term focus.