IEA HPT Annex 61: Heat pump systems in plus-energy neighbourhoods
Project leader University of Innsbruck: Fabian Ochs (UIBK Energy Efficient Building)
Funding organisation: FFG, IEA research cooperation
Duration: 2022 - 2025
Project website: https://heatpumpingtechnologies.org/annex61/
Summary:
Annex 61 evaluates the role of heat pumps (HP) in PlusEnergy neighbourhoods. Efficiency potentials of electrical and thermal energy that can be tapped through the use of heat pumps are evaluated with regard to a positive energy balance. This relates both to the valorisation of waste heat and to the simultaneous generation of different energy uses (space heating, hot water, room cooling/dehumidification) and includes the self-consumption of renewable electricity generation.
Description
The building sector plays a key role in reducingCO2 emissions and thus in achieving climate protection targets. Neighbourhoods offer the potential to further increase efficiency through coordinated solutions for different building uses and load patterns, which can offer synergies on both the electrical and thermal sides.
The overarching aim of Annex 61 is to assess the role of heat pumps (HPs) in energy-plus neighbourhoods (PEQs). In particular, the efficiency potential of neighbourhoods that can be exploited through the use of heat pumps with the aim of achieving a positive energy balance is to be identified.
Annex 61 builds on the work of Annex 49 on the design and integration of HPs in so-called nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEBs). HPs show high efficiency in combination with on-site renewable energy generation, but for larger building and building networks it is still a challenge to achieve a positive energy balance. Potentials can arise through the combination of old and new buildings, for which strategies are developed in Annex 61.
In PEQ, buildings become net energy producers and thus an active part of the energy system. At neighbourhood level, HPs are a key technology for sector coupling and thus for linking heating and cooling requirements with electricity generation and for integrating renewable energies.
Several players are involved in the development of new concepts for PEQ. Manufacturers need to further develop components and system solutions for integration in buildings or groups of buildings and at neighbourhood level. Policymakers need information on how the energy transition can take place at neighbourhood level, both for newly built and existing neighbourhoods. Planners/designers as well as engineering and construction companies need information for their buildings in order to establish innovative concepts at neighbourhood level to meet ambitious political energy and emissions targets.
To achieve the objectives of Annex 61, the tasks are divided into five tasks.
State of the art of heat pump applications in PlusEnergy neighbourhoods: Through literature research, the state of the art of PlusEnergy neighbourhoods and heat pump applications will be investigated for new and existing projects as well as at building and neighbourhood level.
Creation of different heat pump concepts at individual building and neighbourhood level: This included simulation-based analysis and evaluation.
Technical and economic evaluation of heat pump concepts for individual buildings and neighbourhoods: Heat pump concepts for individual buildings and neighbourhoods are examined using techno-economic analyses. The focus here is on the evaluation of heat pumps in district heating systems.
Performance evaluation of real heat pumps in plus-energy neighbourhoods and accompanying simulations: Cooling circuit simulations are carried out for the technical evaluation of large heat pumps in neighbourhoods. The results are verified by real operating data (monitoring results).
Dissemination: The knowledge gained through international and national cooperation will be disseminated through conference contributions, publications in international scientific journals and the organisation of and participation in national workshops.
Participating countries
- Germany, Austria
- Austria, Germany
- Japan
- Switzerland (lead)
- USA
Publications
Ochs, Fabian, Mara Magni, and Georgios Dermentzis. 2022.
"Integration of Heat Pumps in Buildings and District Heating Systems-Evaluation on a Building and Energy System Level" Energies 15, no. 11: 3889. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15113889
Contact
Fabian Ochs,
University of Innsbruck,
Department of Structural Engineering and Material Sciences,
Energy Efficient Building Unit,
Technikerstraße 13, 5th floor, A-6020 Innsbruck,
fabian.ochs@uibk.ac.at
Christoph Reichl, AIT
Giefinggasse 2, 1210 Vienna, Austria
christoph.reichl@ait.ac.at
Gerald Zotter, AEE INTEC
A-8200 Gleisdorf, Feldgasse 19
g.zotter@aee.at