Highly Efficient and Simplified Thermodynamic Cycle with Isolated Heating and Cooling - Cost Optimized (ISECOP)

The project will develop a new combined heating/cooling system that efficiently and continuously produces hot and/or cold water with up to 30 % larger efficiency that conventional heat pump and cooling systems and generates a possibility of accumulating heat and/or cooling.

Depending on the operating conditions, an efficiency improvement of 10-50 % is shown in a completed EUDP project by employing the tank system for heating. An additional increase of 15 % is expected to be achieved by simultaneous use of the tank system for cooling also. A further advantage of the concept is the possibility of accumulation hot and cold water.

A major performance improvement can be achieved. However, it is also shown that costs of the technology provide some challenges. By studying the framework of the technology, both the temperature operating range and the economy when using this system could be increased significantly.

Thus, the focus of the ISECOP project is the development of components and the control system to achieve optimal interaction between the heat pump, the heat storage and the heat consumption. Indeed, it will be possible to construct certain essential components, e.g. the compressor, in a simpler way (e.g. without capacity control) by using the ISECOP concept.