PVT-booster - Temperature flexible heat pump for ultra-low-temperature district heating as well as stand-alone systems
The project will develop a new and temperature flexible heat pump (PVT Booster) incl. DHW tank, capable of producing both hot tap water and heat for room heating. The heat pump will be designed for optimal interaction with low temperature district heating and PVT panels. The heat pump will through lab tests and the pilot project be optimized for a wide temperature span.
With METRO THERM fronting the project, a new and temperature flexible heat pump (The PVT-booster) incl. a hot water tank will be developed with a higher COP and wider temperature range compared to market standards. The PVT-booster will produce both hot tap water and heat for room heating and will be designed for optimal interaction with low temperature district heating and PVT panels. The unique aspect in the project is the capability to execute the development process in a quick and agile manner due to METRO THERM having local and integrated lab facilities and competent R+D staff.
In the project the heat pump will be developed down to component level (compressor, valves and cooling circuit). The development will be executed through lab test (tests for yield, stress, COP, stability etc.) and through measurements documenting the PVT-booster's performance in interaction with a heat source with fluctuating temperatures such as ultralow temperature district heating and PVT.
The PVT booster can in combination with ultralow temperature district heating be used for heating up the hot tap water with a COP of 6. This should be compared to an electric cartridge, which has a COP of 1. In this way the district heating companies can remove a considerable barrier for consumer accept of ultralow temperature heating.
In areas outside the district heating network the PVT-booster will potential be a key component in interaction with PVT-modules and battery storage. This constellation will have the potential to become both a socio-economic and user economic feasible alternative to heating based on domestic fuel oil and natural gas.
The PVT-booster has a higher COP and wider temperature range compared to market standards. The PVT-booster can produce both hot tap water and heat for room heating and is designed for optimal interaction with low temperature district heating and PVT-E panels (combination of Photo Voltaic and Thermal solar collector – Energy absorber).
In this project the heat pump has been developed down to component level (compressor, adjustable thermostatic expansion valves and cooling circuit). The development has been supported by lab test (tests for yield, stress, COP, stability etc.) and through measurements documenting the PVT-booster's performance in interaction with a heat source with fluctuating temperatures such as ultralow temperature district heating and PVT-panels.
The PVT-booster can in combination with ultralow temperature district heating be used for heating up the hot tap water with a COP of 6. This should be compared to an electric cartridge, which has a COP of 1. In this way the district heating companies can remove a considerable barrier for consumer accept of ultralow temperature heating.
In areas outside the district heating network the PVT-booster will potentially be a key component in interaction with PVT-modules and battery storage. This constellation will have the potential to become a green stand-alone application that is a both a society-economic and user economic feasible alternative to heating based on fossil gasoil and natural gas.
User economic analysis performed by COWI using the PVT-bat program, show that PVT-booster together with PVT sourced heat pumps with advantage can replace existing gas-based heat production to supply both domestic hot water and space heating demands.
