Against the backdrop of the ongoing pursuit of "dual carbon" (carbon peaking and carbon neutrality) goals—and the explicit requirement in the *Implementation Plan for High-Quality Development of Energy-Saving Equipment (2026–2028)* to "strengthen the coupling and matching of energy-saving equipment systems"—energy-efficient coupled thermal equipment systems are emerging as a pivotal technical pathway for industrial heating and building climate control. Rather than a mere collection of standalone units, these systems deeply integrate various heat sources, thermal energy storage devices, and intelligent control platforms. This creates an integrated heating solution characterized by "multi-energy complementarity, system integration, and dynamic optimization," fundamentally addressing the low energy efficiency, poor controllability, and high carbon emissions typical of traditional thermal systems.

I. Core Concept: Shifting from "Component-Level" to "System-Coupled" Energy Efficiency

To understand this approach, one must grasp the two dimensions of "coupling." The first is the coupling and matching *between pieces of equipment*: moving beyond a scenario where boilers, heat pumps, and storage units operate in isolation, this involves the coordinated design of performance parameters, interface standards, and operational strategies—thereby eliminating capacity redundancy (such as using oversized equipment for small-scale loads). The second is the coupling and matching *between equipment and specific application scenarios*: by tailoring the equipment mix to a user’s actual load profile, energy structure, and operational processes, the system is ensured to function within its high-efficiency range under real-world operating conditions. Together, these two layers of coupling facilitate a transition from isolated, component-level energy savings to comprehensive, end-to-end system efficiency.

II. System Architecture: The Organic Synergy of Three Key Components

An energy-efficient coupled thermal equipment system typically consists of three core components: heat source equipment, thermal energy storage systems, and an intelligent control platform.

The *heat source equipment* segment serves as the system’s energy entry point. It encompasses a diverse range of technologies, including high-voltage electrode boilers, various industrial heat pumps (such as high-temperature and steam-generating heat pumps), gas-fired condensing boilers, and biomass gasification units. The significance of a multi-heat-source parallel configuration lies in the complementarity of the various components: electrode boilers offer high power density and rapid startup, making them well-suited for utilizing "green" electricity and off-peak power; heat pumps provide high energy efficiency, ideal for recovering low-grade waste heat; and gas-fired boilers serve as a reliable backup for extreme cold weather or peak-load demands.

The thermal energy storage (TES) component acts as the system’s "energy bank." Utilizing technologies such as stratified water thermal storage, phase-change steam storage, or molten salt thermal storage, it captures heat during periods of low electricity prices or high renewable energy generation, releasing it during peak demand—a process known as "peak shaving and valley filling." This component is crucial to the system's overall economic viability, as it decouples heat generation equipment from the immediate, fluctuating demands of the thermal load.

The intelligent control platform functions as the system’s "brain." It collects real-time data—including ambient temperatures, electricity price signals, and thermal load requirements—and employs algorithms to dynamically adjust the output distribution of each heat source and the timing of thermal storage and release. This ensures that the entire system meets heating demands while consistently minimizing energy costs.

III. Operating Principle: Flexible Regulation Centered on Electric Thermal Storage

The core operational logic of such systems is: "generate heat using low-cost electricity, store it during off-peak periods, and release it on demand." During periods of low grid demand or high output from wind and solar power, electric heating equipment—such as electrode boilers—is rapidly activated to convert electrical energy into thermal energy. A portion of this heat is supplied directly to the load, while the remainder is directed into thermal storage units. When electricity demand peaks or the thermal load surges, the stored heat is released first, allowing for a reduction—or even a complete halt—in the operation of the electric heating equipment.

This logic yields two primary benefits: For the power grid, the system functions as a flexible, adjustable load, effectively absorbing surplus renewable energy and mitigating the curtailment of wind and solar power. For the user, it significantly lowers long-term operating costs by maximizing heat production during periods of low electricity prices and minimizing electricity consumption during high-price periods. In combined heat and power (CHP) plants, such systems serve as a critical enabler for "decoupling heat and power production." By utilizing thermal energy storage and electric boilers, the system partially separates heat generation from electricity generation, allowing power units to achieve deep peak-shaving flexibility while maintaining a reliable heat supply.

IV. Key Technical Features

High-voltage, high-capacity direct heating technology. Represented by high-voltage electrode boilers, this heating equipment eliminates the need for low-voltage transformers and large-cross-section low-voltage cables. A single unit can reach a capacity of tens of megawatts, features a compact footprint, and achieves an electrical-to-thermal conversion efficiency of nearly 99%. Furthermore, the absence of internal structural components prone to wear ensures high operational reliability.

Multi-energy complementarity and cascaded utilization. The system allows for the flexible combination of heat sources based on operating conditions, enabling the cascaded utilization of energy. Low-grade waste heat or ambient thermal energy is first extracted via heat pumps, followed by further temperature elevation—using electric or gas-fired boilers—to meet specific heating requirements, ensuring that the potential of every unit of energy is fully realized.

System integration and modular delivery. The equipment employs a modular design and is pre-assembled at the factory. On-site deployment requires only the connection of interfaces, which shortens project timelines and ensures optimal operational compatibility across the entire system.

Digitalization and intelligent operation & maintenance (O&M). Leveraging IoT sensing and coordinated scheduling, the system enables remote monitoring of equipment status. Predictive maintenance allows for the early detection of potential issues, thereby extending equipment lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.

V. Typical Application Scenarios

In the context of flexible peak-shaving for thermal power plants, integrated systems—combined with thermal energy storage—enable deep peak-shaving and the decoupling of heat and power. This ensures the continuity of essential public heating services while creating capacity for the integration of new energy sources, all while generating revenue through peak-shaving compensation. In the field of district clean heating, the system—anchored by electrode boilers and heat pumps, and supplemented by large-scale thermal storage tanks—leverages the price differential between peak and off-peak electricity to provide cost-effective heating. This solution is particularly well-suited for urban areas with high heating load density and significant peak-to-valley electricity price spreads. In the context of industrial parks, the system can integrate industrial waste heat, process heat, and energy storage units to provide a stable supply of steam or hot water to enterprises—such as those in chemical manufacturing, equipment production, or food processing—that require a continuous and reliable thermal supply.

For commercial complexes and data centers, the system can meet heating and domestic hot water needs during the winter while simultaneously recovering waste heat from equipment. By incorporating thermal storage, it enables "dual-mode" storage (for both heating and cooling), leading to a significant improvement in overall energy efficiency.

VI. Development Trends

As energy-saving equipment evolves toward greater intelligence, sustainability, and integration, the future of such systems will be defined by three key trends: First, deep integration with AI—energy management systems powered by large-scale models will enable the coordinated operation of increasingly complex thermal networks. Second, breakthroughs in materials and processes—the development of new, corrosion-resistant heat-exchange materials and advanced thermal storage media will continue to enhance both system efficiency and operational lifespan. Third, scaling and standardization—driven by both policy and market forces, integrated thermal equipment systems are set to become a standard feature for the green transformation of industry, fueling continued market expansion. It is clear that those who best master the art of "equipment coupling" and "scenario-specific adaptation" will gain a decisive advantage in this ongoing energy transition.