With intelligent controls, dynamic tariffs and the right market structure, heat pumps can adapt their operation to periods when renewable electricity is abundant and prices are lower, while maintaining comfort for households and businesses.
The action plan proposes measures to make this possible, including reforms to electricity bills and network charges to encourage flexible, system-oriented use of the grid. It also includes new and revised network codes to ensure the seamless integration of heat pumps, batteries and electric vehicles into the electricity system. Flexibility will also benefit consumers.
By shifting energy consumption away from peak periods, flexible technologies can help reduce pressure on the grid and limit overall system costs. For households, this could mean lower electricity bills; for the energy system, it means a more efficient way to integrate growing volumes of renewable electricity.
The Commission also highlights the wider potential for flexibility in industry, data centres, storage and electric vehicles, while seeking to support the deployment of 200 GW of energy storage capacity by 2030.
For EHPA, the message is clear: heat pumps are not only a key technology for clean heating — they are also a valuable source of flexibility for Europe's future energy system. The Electrification Action Plan provides a framework for unlocking this potential. The next step is to ensure that Member States introduce the right market rules and incentives.
