Next generation heat pump for retrofitting buildings

Solutions developed

The goal of the GreenHP project is to investigate and develop a new highly efficient heating system based on high-capacity air/water heat pumps for retrofitting multi-family houses and commercial buildings. This high power heat pump system will use an alternative refrigerant and will interact with large (renewable) energy systems, like the smart grids in particular, and integrate other renewable energy sources, like photovoltaic and solar thermal, as well as energy storage. In order to tackle the relevant scientific challenges, the consortium will employ a holistic approach covering research topics on the system integration level, heat pump unit and component level.

Main results

At the end of the project, a 30 kW lab scale pilot with a new unit design using alternative refrigerant and innovative components will be developed. In addition, it will be shown how this heat pump integrates into buildings and interacts with the smart electric grid. This will be the basis for many different applications for room heating and cooling as well as sanitary hot water production, as any solution between 30 kW and 100 kW will be possible. The consortium is confident that the implementation of the proposed concept will have a fundamental impact on the European Building sector by providing a new technical solution. Thus it will substantially contribute towards a sustainable European energy system.