Feasibility study for low-carbon emission Heat Pump

Project Information

ECOPUMP

Grant agreement ID: 889075

DOI

10.3030/889075

Project closed

EC signature date 6 December 2019

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 30 June 2020

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

ECOINSTAL IT CONSULT S.R.L.
Romania

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ECOPUMP (Feasibility study for low-carbon emission Heat Pump)

Reporting period: 2020-01-01 to 2020-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The objective of the Phase 1 project was to develop a market entry feasibility study for the ECOPUMP commercialization that would include thorough market research, user need analysis, certification landscape analysis and business model design. The SME instrument Phase 1 project allowed EcoInstal to conduct a feasibility study, improve the technical specification of the product, and prepare itself for commercialization of the innovative solution.

ECOPUMP addresses challenges related to intensive energy consumption in the heating and cooling industries. Technology choice is an opportunity to improve clean energy access and local air quality, both of which are a key challenge for many countries. To address the challenge of environmentally friendly heating and cooling solutions for housing and medium industrial halls, EcoInstal developed a ground to water direct expansion Heat Pump with "eco-friendly" propane R 290 refrigerant with a high COP (Coefficient of Performance) up to 5.4 annual average.

The annual European Heat Pump Market and Statistics Reports reveals a growing market for the fifth year in a succession, leaving an entirely positive outlook for the development of this sector as heat pumps are starting to be recognized by society as energy efficient, cost saving and environmentally friendly alternative for heating. By the end of 2018, over 12 million heat pump units have been installed.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Two main areas of development were prioritised during the project implementation: market analysis & market strategy and testing & improving the pump efficiency in order to reach key performance criteria required by the international certification bodies.
User analysis was conducted based on desk research to better understand user challenges, pain points and define the value proposition. Potential distribution partners were contacted, installers, whole-sale companies and planers/architects to set up strategic partnerships to ensure both selling, installation and maintenance services on international market.

The technical team focused on the research and innovation activities of the prototype, studying in detail the performance criteria required by the certification bodies. An internal test stand was built which allowed to interchange and test components, sizing the installation with a wide variety of components with the aim of achieving best reliability and efficiency of the prototype. The test stand gave efficiency reports which helped the technical team analyse the impact of the technological improvements.

Finally, EcoInstal developed a business model and elaborated business plan, which would be used as a roadmap for commercialization of ECOPUMPs as well as for further development of the business.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

From a technological perspective, EcoInstal is working on improving its current prototype in order to become more competitive, its innovation being based on the type of the agent used, level of efficiency and technical solution used which consist of the assembly of the internal components of the pump. From the business perspective, the team is working on identifying investors and funding for the implementation of the commercialization plan and scaling the production. Upon obtainment of investment and certificates the company will continue its expansion in new markets. EcoInstal aims to have a significant effect on the reduction of carbon footprint created by the residential and service sector, empowering the transition to a low-carbon economy.