Season 2, Episode 5 – with Johan du Plessis, founder and CEO tepeo: Listen in as we reconnect with Johan du Plessis, founder and CEO of tepeo, a true pioneer reshaping the landscape of home heating with zero emission boilers (ZEB). In this conversation, Johan shares his remarkable journey from oil and gas to the forefront of renewable energy, bringing to life a revolutionary high-density thermal storage device. We explore the evolution of this eco-friendly technology from its certification milestones to its expanding market presence. Discover the exciting strides made in product development, the trials of scaling up production, and the triumphs of meeting the surge in demand for sustainable heating solutions. The shift to sustainable home heating is not just about technology; it's a story of people making a conscious choice for the environment. Our chat with Johan delves into the financial and ecological considerations of adopting zero-emission systems. We discuss the initial costs versus long-term savings, the varying motivations of eco-conscious consumers, and the integration of smart tech and photovoltaics. This segment sheds light on how customers from different walks of life are embracing these innovative systems, primarily driven by the desire to minimise their carbon footprint. The episode wraps up with an insightful discussion on the broader challenges and opportunities in the energy industry amidst the global shift from fossil fuels. Johan provides a candid look at the impact of the pandemic, the fluctuating energy market, and the unique situation in Scotland with its renewable energy initiatives. We touch on government incentives, the practical aspects of green technology adoption, and the importance of partnerships with housing developers. This is an episode not to miss if you're keen on understanding the nuances of decarbonizing heating systems and the energy industry's future in a post-COVID world. Johan du Plessis: Johan du Plessis is an engineer by training. His professional journey began in the oil and gas sector, but he quickly realized that it wasn't the right fit for him. Driven by a desire to contribute to the energy transition, du Plessis spent some time in management consulting before ultimately returning to the energy sector. He developed a deep interest in the challenges associated with managing distributed and high renewable grids, especially those like the ones being developed in the UK. His curiosity was particularly piqued by the implications of adding a substantial amount of renewable energy to a grid, focusing on the resulting changes in grid physics and the complexities of managing an energy system. This interest was a key factor in the founding of Tepeo, a company started by du Plessis six years ago. tepeo and the zero emission boiler: Founded in 2018, tepeo embarked on a mission to provide customers with a low-cost, low-carbon, and smart alternative to fossil fuel heating. After extensive research and development, which involved designing, building, testing, and trialing various methods, Tepeo successfully culminated their efforts in creating the Zero Emission Boiler (ZEB). This innovative product, launched in 2021, is specifically designed to be a direct and simple replacement for traditional gas, oil, or LPG boilers. The ZEB stands out for its ease of installation, typically completed within a day, seamlessly integrating into existing plumbing systems. What sets it apart is its revolutionary approach to heating, transitioning users from fossil fuels to electricity. This shift is facilitated by the ZEB's unique ability to store electricity in an incredibly dense form, making it one of the most energy-dense storage solutions on the market. With a capacity to hold 40 kilowatt-hours of energy in a compact unit akin to a washing machine, the ZEB efficiently converts stored energy into heat for homes and hot water tanks. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com