Podcast Summary: The Fully Charged Podcast
Episode: Beyond Heat Pumps: What’s the Real Recipe for Zero Carbon Heating?
Release Date: April 7, 2025
Host: The Fully Charged Show (Robert Llewellyn)
Guest: Johan du Plessis, Founder and CEO of TEPEO
1. Introduction
In this episode of The Fully Charged Podcast, host Robert Llewellyn welcomes Johan du Plessis, the founder and CEO of TEPEO. The discussion centers around TEPEO's innovative product, the Zeb—a zero emission boiler designed as an alternative to traditional heat pumps. While the Zeb itself is a remarkable product, the episode delves deeper into the broader challenges and insights associated with being a climate tech founder in the UK.
2. Understanding TEPEO and the Zeb
Johan du Plessis introduces TEPEO as a climate tech scale-up established seven years ago in the UK. The company's flagship product, the Zeb, is described as a smart heat battery. Unlike conventional chemical batteries, the Zeb stores energy directly as heat, making it a direct replacement for existing fossil fuel boilers.
Johan [02:01]: "We've been using [our slogan] for years... at the core of what we're trying to do is help people to stop burning fossil fuels to heat their homes."
The Zeb operates by charging with electricity during off-peak rates—when electricity is cheaper—and then releasing the stored heat when needed. This system not only promotes energy efficiency but also reduces reliance on gas or oil for heating.
3. The Zeb vs. Heat Pumps
While acknowledging the effectiveness of heat pumps, Johan emphasizes that heat pumps may not be suitable for every home due to space constraints or the need for extensive upgrades.
Johan [04:16]: "Heat pumps are brilliant, but we can't put all our eggs in one basket."
The Zeb is portrayed as a plug-and-play solution, allowing homeowners to replace their gas boilers seamlessly without significant alterations to their homes. This ease of installation makes the Zeb an attractive alternative for those unable to accommodate heat pumps.
4. Market Challenges and Policy Landscape
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the policy and regulatory challenges faced by TEPEO. Johan highlights the difficulty in securing investment due to the pace of governmental change in heat decarbonization initiatives.
Johan [06:16]: "We've had a little bit of a pause in terms of the way we're going to grow the business... but we're absolutely still committed to the mission."
He explains that the UK government's current subsidy framework, which predominantly favors heat pumps, excludes many potential customers whose homes aren't suited for such installations. This creates a market skew that inadvertently supports the continuation of gas boilers over alternative solutions like the Zeb.
Johan [10:00]: "We should rebalance it properly... to have a more level playing field with heat pumps so that we can compete."
Johan advocates for a broader, technology-agnostic approach to subsidies, allowing various zero-carbon heating solutions to thrive based on their suitability and efficiency.
5. Cost Savings and Energy Efficiency
The Zeb offers significant cost savings compared to gas boilers, especially with recent changes in the UK energy market where the gas price cap has surpassed off-peak electricity rates.
Johan [12:20]: "You could save money on gas... many of our customers do save money versus a gas boiler, which is a really great place to be."
Johan also mentions that the efficiency of the Zeb, combined with its ability to store energy, makes it more cost-effective, particularly for smaller, well-insulated homes.
6. Johan's Role and Founder Insights
Transitioning from product discussions, Johan shares his evolving role as a founder, which now heavily involves policy advocacy and regulatory work—a significant shift from his initial focus on engineering and product development.
Johan [24:07]: "I often say you do need to have an element of enforced or true real naivety when you start a business... you're spending at least a third of my time now on policy and regulatory work."
He underscores the importance of delegation and building a strong team, allowing him to focus on strategic challenges rather than getting bogged down in technical details.
7. Future Outlook and Expectations
Looking ahead, Johan is optimistic about upcoming policy changes, particularly the Warm Homes Plan, which he anticipates will provide much-needed clarity and support for diverse zero-carbon heating technologies.
Johan [32:13]: "There's a big moment for us is the warm homes plan... we have lots of data... so that's going to be a really big moment for us."
He expects that these developments will accelerate the adoption of products like the Zeb, driving the market towards more sustainable heating solutions.
8. Advice for Fellow Founders
Johan offers valuable advice to aspiring founders, emphasizing the necessity of wearing multiple hats and prioritizing tasks that drive the most value for the business. He highlights the importance of being adaptable and focusing on the big picture while leveraging a strong team to manage other responsibilities.
Johan [26:56]: "You have to be all over the most important things that are ultimately and really try and understand what really is going to drive value and the change that you're really after."
He also reflects on the challenges of maintaining a balance between technical problem-solving and strategic advocacy, advising founders to recognize their weaknesses and delegate accordingly.
Notable Quotes
- Johan du Plessis [02:25]: "Heat your home, not the planet."
- Johan du Plessis [06:16]: "We're still installing Zebs around the country."
- Robert Llewellyn [09:18]: "It's also why your slogan is so good because heat your home, not the planet."
- Johan du Plessis [12:20]: "You could save money on gas... many of our customers do save money versus a gas boiler."
- Johan du Plessis [26:56]: "You have to wear the hat that you need to, to make sure you're focusing on the most important thing at every stage of the business."
Conclusion
This episode provides an insightful exploration into the innovative solutions like TEPEO's Zeb that aim to revolutionize zero-carbon heating. Johan du Plessis sheds light on the complex interplay between technology, policy, and market dynamics, offering a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of leading a climate tech company. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the necessity for diverse solutions in achieving sustainable heating and the critical role of policy advocacy in driving meaningful change.
Resources Mentioned:
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