Low Temperature District Heating Consumer Unit with Micro Heat Pump for Domestic Hot Water Preparation

Erika Zvingilaite, Torben Schmidt Ommen, Brian Elmegaard, M.L. Franck

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

    1235 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    In this paper we present and analyse the feasibility of a district heating (DH) consumer unit with micro heat pump for domestic hot water (DHW) preparation in a low temperature (40 °C) DH network.
    We propose a micro booster heat pump of high efficiency (COP equal to 5,3) in a consumer DH unit in order to boost the temperature of the district heating water for heating the DHW. The paper presents the main designs of the suggested system and different alternative micro booster heat pump concepts. Energy efficiency and thermodynamic performance of these concepts are calculated and compared. The results show that the proposed system has the highest efficiency. Furthermore, we compare thermodynamic and economic performance of the suggested heat pump-based concept with different solutions, using electric water heater. The micro booster heat pump system has the highest annualised investment (390 EUR/year) and the lowest operation (320 EUR/year) expenditures. Electric heater-based concepts consume 5-14 times more electricity, which leads to relatively high annual operation costs (530-970 EUR/year); while investment costs are lower (326-76 EUR/year). The suggested DHW heat pump-based system is cost-efficient for private consumers already today. Furthermore, application of the micro booster heat pump in low energy houses complies with the energy consumption requirements, set by the recent Danish Building Regulations. The use of electrical heater variants would exceed this limit.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 13th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling
    Number of pages8
    PublisherDistrict Energy Development Center
    Publication date2012
    Pages136-143
    ISBN (Electronic)978-87-995917-0-1
    Publication statusPublished - 2012
    Event13th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling - Copenhagen, Denmark
    Duration: 3 Sept 20124 Sept 2012
    http://www.dhc13.dk/

    Conference

    Conference13th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling
    Country/TerritoryDenmark
    CityCopenhagen
    Period03/09/201204/09/2012
    Internet address

    Keywords

    • Low temperature district heating
    • DH consumer unit
    • Domestic hot water
    • Micro booster heat pump

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Low Temperature District Heating Consumer Unit with Micro Heat Pump for Domestic Hot Water Preparation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this