CHAWAEL

CHAWAEL (“Highly Dynamic and Energy-Efficient Test Environment for the Characterization of Heat Pump Systems Using Air as the Heat Transfer Medium”) establishes new infrastructure for testing air-source heat pumps under realistic conditions. The goal of this new test environment is to achieve greater accuracy in measurement data while reducing energy consumption and testing time. Applied research on energy efficiency in both production and prototype developments can thus be conducted in a more comprehensive and targeted manner. This enables improved comparability of different heat pumps and heat pump systems and aims to further increase the efficiency of the models.

Heat pumps play a central role in providing climate-neutral heating. The heating sector accounts for about 40 percent of CO₂ emissions in Germany and represents approximately 56 percent of final energy consumption. In recent years, air-source heat pumps have accounted for over 90 percent of the market. However, existing testing methods only partially reflect real operating conditions. The CHAWAEL project addresses this issue and aims to improve testing methodology through dynamic test conditions and more precise control of environmental parameters. The test environment will directly couple the device under test with the test bench and regulate temperature and humidity at short intervals. Instead of large-volume climate chambers, the airflow will be specifically conditioned. A model-predictive control system will then continuously adapt the test conditions to the heat pump’s operation. This will allow performance data to be collected more quickly and evaluated in a targeted manner.

Thus, the benefits of CHAWAEL extend far beyond testing protocols. The expected research results are of significant relevance to the transformation of the energy system into a “smart grid,” which places multiple demands on heat pump systems. “Smart grids” are intended to function as flexible, efficient, and decentralized energy management systems that control generation and consumption in real time. This offers opportunities to better connect consumers and producers and can make a valuable contribution to security of supply. The results from CHAWAEL are intended to help improve the interaction between heat pumps and the system and to optimize the control system.

The project will strengthen testing capabilities at the ISFH while also providing important stimulus for the further development of testing standards. By the end of the three-year funding period, an intelligent and resource-efficient testing environment for residential heat pumps is expected to be in place, enabling a more precise determination of the efficiency performance curve.