Final Report Summary - SMARTHEAT (An intelligent modular domestic heating and hot water platform that enables effective integration and use of renewable energy systems)
Executive summary:
Increasing the uptake of Renewable energy systems (RES) is crucial if Europe is to achieve ambitious energy and emission reduction targets. However, despite steep increases in energy prices the uptake of domestic RES is still very limited.
The initial investment required means that the payback period frequently exceeds 20 years, which is a clear disincentive to homeowners. This is mainly due to the cost associated with integration of RES within domestic heating and hot water systems, and is especially relevant if combinations of RES are deployed.
The efficiency of these technologies is also often limited due to the inherent mismatch between energy supply and consumption; this can be overcome by deploying a suitably sized thermal store. However, this is often difficult due to space constraints in existing homes. To provide effective control, there needs to be a simpler means of combining the controls of the individual RES. This is complicated by the varying complexity and sheer number and types of systems available. These factors limit the appeal of RES and create barriers that prevent customers from adding capacity over time.
The main objective of SMARTHEAT is to develop a platform technology for domestic heating and hot water that enables easy and cost effective integration and use of multiple RES.
The key enabling technologies include:
1. A common intelligent control system capable of effectively utilising a combination of RES and thermal stores.
2. Modular Phase change material (PCM) stores that enable increased compact thermal storage within existing buildings. We will be able to demonstrate up to 50 % reduction in installation costs for a combination of RES.
As a result we will be able to improve payback for a wide range of RES heating and hot water system combinations.
Project context and objectives:
The SMARTHEAT project has developed a modular platform technology for domestic heating and hot water systems that enables the cost-effective integration and efficient operation of RES. This dramatically reduces the cost of installation and expansion of RES with the aim of increasing market penetration and enabling significant energy savings for consumers.
The objectives of the project being to develop key enabling technologies:
- a platform topology that enables the effective use of single or multiple RES;
- intelligent control system to effectively manage multiple heat sources from different manufacturers or suppliers;
- a methodology to rapidly and accurately dimension a heating and hot water system as a function of different RES and thermal storage systems;
- a high energy density thermal store that enables a high RES fraction without the need for a very large water store and enables increases in RES capacity without replacement of expensive hot water stores.
These technologies are compatible with Europe's existing domestic heating and hot water infrastructure and suitable for retrofit as well as new builds.
Project results:
The main developments that have been produced by the project are listed below:
- development of a mathematical simulation model and a new TRYNSYS Type 340 store model;
- a standard, flexible and expandable heating and hot water system topology that enables 'plug-and-flow' connection of RES;
- the development of a modular prototype PCM composite thermal store solution suitable for short-to-medium term storage of thermal energy;
- a PCM blend has been developed to provide the required characteristics suitable for storing the heat from a renewable source which minimises segregation; laboratory test show that the material is stable for 10 000 charge / discharge cycles;
- development of a standard colour coding system for heating systems with multiple heat sources and heat outputs;
- development of an intelligent control system capable of optimally using any combination of heat sources and energy storage;
- the measurement of phase change and energy content in a PCM by the use of a simple sensor;
- a low cost high accuracy temperature sensor for measurements from -20 to +85 degrees of Celsius;
- lab scale validation trials of sensible and latent heat store performance;
- integration recommendations for physical interfacing and hydraulic control;
-development of an overall system control approach (hardware and software) enabling open source functionality;
- prototype controller validated in a lab setting and pseudo field trial;
- integration of full scale SMARTHEAT platform within domestic dwelling, consisting of prototypes incorporating the control system sensible and latent heat storage combinations and RES;
- creation of a training and demonstration rig;
- developed standardised procedures for installation, integration and operation of SMARTHEAT platform.
Potential Impact:
The expected results of SMARTHEAT are threefold:
1. reduce the cost of installing and integrating RES within existing European dwellings;
2. reduce household energy bills via increased usage of renewable energy;
3. contribute to ambitious EC and national government targets to reduce energy consumption for domestic heating and hot water, improve overall EC energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Although these objectives are inherently linked, governments and industry must demonstrate that existing RES can provide significant cost savings to consumers with a reasonable payback period. Unless this is achieved, it is unlikely that market penetration will increase rapidly. In such a scenario only government mandates and expensive subsidies will be able to sustain market growth. Most RES have a payback period exceeding 10 years. Payback is based on average installation cost between new and existing buildings and depends on the modification required to the infrastructure e.g. replacement of thermal store and the overall system design and integration. As a result, payback of a solar thermal system can vary between 15 to 30 years.
Project website: http://www.smartheat.org.uk(opens in new window)
Increasing the uptake of Renewable energy systems (RES) is crucial if Europe is to achieve ambitious energy and emission reduction targets. However, despite steep increases in energy prices the uptake of domestic RES is still very limited.
The initial investment required means that the payback period frequently exceeds 20 years, which is a clear disincentive to homeowners. This is mainly due to the cost associated with integration of RES within domestic heating and hot water systems, and is especially relevant if combinations of RES are deployed.
The efficiency of these technologies is also often limited due to the inherent mismatch between energy supply and consumption; this can be overcome by deploying a suitably sized thermal store. However, this is often difficult due to space constraints in existing homes. To provide effective control, there needs to be a simpler means of combining the controls of the individual RES. This is complicated by the varying complexity and sheer number and types of systems available. These factors limit the appeal of RES and create barriers that prevent customers from adding capacity over time.
The main objective of SMARTHEAT is to develop a platform technology for domestic heating and hot water that enables easy and cost effective integration and use of multiple RES.
The key enabling technologies include:
1. A common intelligent control system capable of effectively utilising a combination of RES and thermal stores.
2. Modular Phase change material (PCM) stores that enable increased compact thermal storage within existing buildings. We will be able to demonstrate up to 50 % reduction in installation costs for a combination of RES.
As a result we will be able to improve payback for a wide range of RES heating and hot water system combinations.
Project context and objectives:
The SMARTHEAT project has developed a modular platform technology for domestic heating and hot water systems that enables the cost-effective integration and efficient operation of RES. This dramatically reduces the cost of installation and expansion of RES with the aim of increasing market penetration and enabling significant energy savings for consumers.
The objectives of the project being to develop key enabling technologies:
- a platform topology that enables the effective use of single or multiple RES;
- intelligent control system to effectively manage multiple heat sources from different manufacturers or suppliers;
- a methodology to rapidly and accurately dimension a heating and hot water system as a function of different RES and thermal storage systems;
- a high energy density thermal store that enables a high RES fraction without the need for a very large water store and enables increases in RES capacity without replacement of expensive hot water stores.
These technologies are compatible with Europe's existing domestic heating and hot water infrastructure and suitable for retrofit as well as new builds.
Project results:
The main developments that have been produced by the project are listed below:
- development of a mathematical simulation model and a new TRYNSYS Type 340 store model;
- a standard, flexible and expandable heating and hot water system topology that enables 'plug-and-flow' connection of RES;
- the development of a modular prototype PCM composite thermal store solution suitable for short-to-medium term storage of thermal energy;
- a PCM blend has been developed to provide the required characteristics suitable for storing the heat from a renewable source which minimises segregation; laboratory test show that the material is stable for 10 000 charge / discharge cycles;
- development of a standard colour coding system for heating systems with multiple heat sources and heat outputs;
- development of an intelligent control system capable of optimally using any combination of heat sources and energy storage;
- the measurement of phase change and energy content in a PCM by the use of a simple sensor;
- a low cost high accuracy temperature sensor for measurements from -20 to +85 degrees of Celsius;
- lab scale validation trials of sensible and latent heat store performance;
- integration recommendations for physical interfacing and hydraulic control;
-development of an overall system control approach (hardware and software) enabling open source functionality;
- prototype controller validated in a lab setting and pseudo field trial;
- integration of full scale SMARTHEAT platform within domestic dwelling, consisting of prototypes incorporating the control system sensible and latent heat storage combinations and RES;
- creation of a training and demonstration rig;
- developed standardised procedures for installation, integration and operation of SMARTHEAT platform.
Potential Impact:
The expected results of SMARTHEAT are threefold:
1. reduce the cost of installing and integrating RES within existing European dwellings;
2. reduce household energy bills via increased usage of renewable energy;
3. contribute to ambitious EC and national government targets to reduce energy consumption for domestic heating and hot water, improve overall EC energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Although these objectives are inherently linked, governments and industry must demonstrate that existing RES can provide significant cost savings to consumers with a reasonable payback period. Unless this is achieved, it is unlikely that market penetration will increase rapidly. In such a scenario only government mandates and expensive subsidies will be able to sustain market growth. Most RES have a payback period exceeding 10 years. Payback is based on average installation cost between new and existing buildings and depends on the modification required to the infrastructure e.g. replacement of thermal store and the overall system design and integration. As a result, payback of a solar thermal system can vary between 15 to 30 years.
Project website: http://www.smartheat.org.uk(opens in new window)