| Disruptive aerothermal technology for residential heating, cooling, sanitary hot water and ventilation using a compact unit. |
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In a context of a growing need for energy efficiency and decarbonisation of the building industry, the HEATPOWERBOX project has developed an innovative solution for climate control and producing sanitary hot water in residential buildings. During three years of research, this project has shown the viability of using thermoelectric heat pumps as an alternative to traditional heat pumps based on vapour compression. In contrast to traditional heat pumps, thermoelectric ones do not have compressors or coolants, which makes them more quiet and reliable. Furthermore, their operation is very easy to control and they are easy to incorporate into renewable energy sources, like photovoltaic solar systems.
A compact and modular prototype has been developed that can meet the thermal needs of a residence, providing heating, cooling, and sanitary hot water. It has two thermoelectric heat pumps that work in a coordinated way. Each one has 4 kW of calorie power, which provides a total power of 8 kW. The system underwent an extensive testing campaign, which made it possible to validate a simulation model and fine-tune the control parameters. A detailed analysis of every stage revealed that the performance of the systems depends on large part on the thermal jump between devices and the used with the modules, which made it possible to create optimum control strategies.
To understand its behaviour better under different conditions and to optimise its functionality, the development was complemented by a computational simulation model in the TrnSys environment, validated with experimental data from the previous prototype. The model made it possible to predict the behaviour of the system precisely under real conditions, and it has been key for its analysis and improvement.
The computational model made it possible to simulate the behaviour of the system in a real residential building in Navarre with Passivhaus certification, as well as in European reference climates (Helsinki, Strasbourg, and Athens). The results were very positive. The system keeps the indoor temperature above 20º C in winter 99.8% of the time, it provides sanitary hot water above 43º C 99.9% of the time, and it reaches a global performance coefficient of 1.56 with peaks of 4. Although their global performance is still inferior to vapour compression heat pumps, thermoelectric heat pumps have key advantages in terms of robustness, sustainability, and ease of control.
HEATPOWERBOX has shown that thermoelectric heat pumps are a viable and efficient alternative for buildings with low energy consumption. The technology is especially suited for applications where reliability, low maintenance and integration with renewable energies are a priority. The project has opened up two lines of future research; hybridisation with compression heat pumps to improve global performance, and the use of thermoelectric systems to support conventional systems of producing heat and cooling. Thanks to the collaboration between the Public University of Navarre and the National Centre for Renewable Energy and the ADITECH foundation, and the support from the government of Navarre, HEATPOWERBOX has contributed to positioning thermoelectricity as an emerging technology on the path to cleaner, more efficient and more sustainable climate control.
