WQeff

WQeff – Efficient heat pump districts – Efficient, renewable, and grid-friendly operation of heat pump districts

Heat pumps are considered a key technology for providing efficient and virtually climate-neutral heating in both new and existing buildings. If many heat pumps are operated in a district, this has an impact on the electrical and, if available, thermal grid. Interactions occur, which may make it necessary to adjust operating strategies. Furthermore, heat pump systems are often not optimally designed or operated, meaning that the full efficiency potential of a system is not always exploited.

The Institute for Solar Energy Research in Hamelin is providing scientific support to several neighborhoods in implementing the heat transition. The range of properties involved extends from new development areas with air/water or brine/water heat pumps and cold local heating networks to existing buildings with newly installed heat pumps. The buildings are equipped with an energy monitoring system for analysis and evaluation of their operation and efficiency. An algorithm analyzes the incoming measurement data and provides the system operator and tradespeople with recommendations for optimizing the operation of the system. The analysis of individual buildings will be used to draw conclusions about the behavior of the neighborhood and possible efficiency potentials in order to be able to operate the neighborhood in a grid-friendly manner with a high proportion of renewable energy (RE).

In addition, simulation models are being developed in the project to identify, analyze, and optimize efficiency potentials at both the building and neighborhood levels. To this end, detailed component models are combined at the building level and linked to a neighborhood at the electrical and thermal level. This approach also enables the development and evaluation of new operating strategies and potential neighborhood solutions with regard to load shifting, integration of existing RE systems, and heating networks. This also opens up new business areas for energy suppliers.

Finally, the simulation tools developed in the project will be used to develop a tool for the general design and recommendation of heat pump systems for use in buildings through systematic simulations. Choosing the right system configuration is important not only to be able to operate the building with the heat pump, but also to do so efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner. The tool will be tested and distributed through the craft businesses involved in the project.

All simulations are carried out using an open-source library in order to make statements that are as transparent and public as possible.