Periodic Reporting for period 3 - HAPPENING (HeAt PumPs in existing multi-family buildings for achieving union's ENergy and envIromeNtal Goals)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-04-01 al 2024-09-30
Currently, buildings are responsible for 40 % of the energy demand and 36% of the CO2 emissions in Europe. Decarbonisation of existing buildings plays a key role in order to reach the overall climate protection targets. However, current renovation rates lie in the order of 1%.
Heat pumps are a key technology in bringing renewable shares into heat supply of buildings; especially their combination with onsite renewable electricity production e.g. by PV allows to bring high renewable shares. Their current installation in existing multi-apartment buildings is however still marginal.
The technological solution in the HAPPENING project is based on decentralized heat pumps, in such a way that it results an easy-to-install solution for installers, low-intrusive for the occupants and easily adaptable to a large number of different building situations. This is flanked by developing near-zero planning, implementation and operation processes, in order to facilitate the work during the planning phase, ensure a high-quality installation and effective operation, and reduce the efforts and costs within the whole retrofitting project. The challenge of cost-competitiveness is addressed by developing new financial and business models. Bringing new players (such as financial experts) and financing models to the renovation market is expected to bring the needed paradigm change and boost investments in the residential retrofitting sector. Dissemination of measured performance and system characteristics from HAPPENING will be one of the key results of the project.
Through 3 demo sites (Spain, Italy and Austria), the project will demonstrate a highly versatile, scalable and replicable solution package for buildings energy system retrofitting allowing 70-75% of renewable energy fraction, 30-50% of PE and GHG savings, reduction of planning time by 50% and installation/operation time by 30% and payback time for ESCOs and investors of less than 8 years, compared to best available solution existing today.
Heat pumps are a key technology in bringing renewable shares into heat supply of buildings; especially their combination with onsite renewable electricity production e.g. by PV allows to bring high renewable shares. Their current installation in existing multi-apartment buildings is however still marginal.
The technological solution in the HAPPENING project is based on decentralized heat pumps, in such a way that it results an easy-to-install solution for installers, low-intrusive for the occupants and easily adaptable to a large number of different building situations. This is flanked by developing near-zero planning, implementation and operation processes, in order to facilitate the work during the planning phase, ensure a high-quality installation and effective operation, and reduce the efforts and costs within the whole retrofitting project. The challenge of cost-competitiveness is addressed by developing new financial and business models. Bringing new players (such as financial experts) and financing models to the renovation market is expected to bring the needed paradigm change and boost investments in the residential retrofitting sector. Dissemination of measured performance and system characteristics from HAPPENING will be one of the key results of the project.
Through 3 demo sites (Spain, Italy and Austria), the project will demonstrate a highly versatile, scalable and replicable solution package for buildings energy system retrofitting allowing 70-75% of renewable energy fraction, 30-50% of PE and GHG savings, reduction of planning time by 50% and installation/operation time by 30% and payback time for ESCOs and investors of less than 8 years, compared to best available solution existing today.
- The coordination of the project was consolidated, thanks to clear procedures for quality assurance, communication, reporting & monitoring protocols, ethics and gender issues, and data management plan.
- Concerning the industrialization of the HAPPENING technologies, the water-to-air microHPs, both mechanically and electronicly, were developed for heating and cooling services at room level for dwellings.
- In parallel, modelling and simulating of the operation based on a rule-based controller was carried out, and elaboration of Model Predictive Control algorithms were developed following two approaches.
- In addition, the analysis for fitting HAPPENING into generic buildings representative of EU building stock was done.
- Measurement goals and KPIs were defined to evaluate system performance in operation condition, the monitoring applied for the three demo sites was executed, as far as the HAPPENING systems were already installed, and the data handling and visualisation in demos was set up. Additionally, cross comparison among monitored data of the 3 demo sites was done.
- In the case of Pasaia, the system consisted of a neutral temperature water loop with thermal inertia, the temperature of which is maintained by means of 2 central air-source HPs. Then individual water-to-water HPs are implemented in the 8 dwellings both for heating and DHW. PV and batteries are installed. > Spanish demo started in operation in September 2023.
- The Italian case consisted of central air-to-water heat pump for the preparation of the tempered water for the central water distribution loop and central air-to-water HPs for the preparation of the domestic hot water with the prototypes of water-to-air micro heat pumps installed in dwellings for heating and cooling. PV panels were installed on the roof. > Italian demo started in operation in December 2022.
- In the Liezen demo, the system, consisted of central air-to-water heat pumps and decentralized water-to-water heat pumps, similar to Pasaia site. PV panels were installed on the roof. > Austrian demo started in operation in August 2023.
- The techno-economic assessment analysis of the 3 demo sites was executed.
- To support the HAPPENING system installation, a decision-making tool was developed for a rapid choice of the more suitable HAPPENING solution for each end-user; Quality Assurance procedure was developed covering all the process; and also a document containing instructions, advice and recommendations for installation and use of centralized and decentralized HP systems were elaborated. The experience in HAPPENING helped to to identify key actions/measures based on the lessons learnt and contributed to propose procedures, tools, and solutions to minimise timeline between first decision and commissioning.
- To foster the replication and exploitability of the HAPPENING system, several results were created related to business models, standardization, market analysis and so on: a handbook with guidelines for integration of the solutions in public and private, tertiary, and residential buildings (D6.4); business and plan involving social/market aspects (D6.5); and a report on current standardization and non-technical barriers for HAPPENING replication.
- Finally, in regard to dissemination and communication, these activities were executed: Website, 7 press releases and 8 newsletters published, activity on X (Twitter) and YouTube, participation in events and organization of 3 events organized, scientific publications.
- Concerning the industrialization of the HAPPENING technologies, the water-to-air microHPs, both mechanically and electronicly, were developed for heating and cooling services at room level for dwellings.
- In parallel, modelling and simulating of the operation based on a rule-based controller was carried out, and elaboration of Model Predictive Control algorithms were developed following two approaches.
- In addition, the analysis for fitting HAPPENING into generic buildings representative of EU building stock was done.
- Measurement goals and KPIs were defined to evaluate system performance in operation condition, the monitoring applied for the three demo sites was executed, as far as the HAPPENING systems were already installed, and the data handling and visualisation in demos was set up. Additionally, cross comparison among monitored data of the 3 demo sites was done.
- In the case of Pasaia, the system consisted of a neutral temperature water loop with thermal inertia, the temperature of which is maintained by means of 2 central air-source HPs. Then individual water-to-water HPs are implemented in the 8 dwellings both for heating and DHW. PV and batteries are installed. > Spanish demo started in operation in September 2023.
- The Italian case consisted of central air-to-water heat pump for the preparation of the tempered water for the central water distribution loop and central air-to-water HPs for the preparation of the domestic hot water with the prototypes of water-to-air micro heat pumps installed in dwellings for heating and cooling. PV panels were installed on the roof. > Italian demo started in operation in December 2022.
- In the Liezen demo, the system, consisted of central air-to-water heat pumps and decentralized water-to-water heat pumps, similar to Pasaia site. PV panels were installed on the roof. > Austrian demo started in operation in August 2023.
- The techno-economic assessment analysis of the 3 demo sites was executed.
- To support the HAPPENING system installation, a decision-making tool was developed for a rapid choice of the more suitable HAPPENING solution for each end-user; Quality Assurance procedure was developed covering all the process; and also a document containing instructions, advice and recommendations for installation and use of centralized and decentralized HP systems were elaborated. The experience in HAPPENING helped to to identify key actions/measures based on the lessons learnt and contributed to propose procedures, tools, and solutions to minimise timeline between first decision and commissioning.
- To foster the replication and exploitability of the HAPPENING system, several results were created related to business models, standardization, market analysis and so on: a handbook with guidelines for integration of the solutions in public and private, tertiary, and residential buildings (D6.4); business and plan involving social/market aspects (D6.5); and a report on current standardization and non-technical barriers for HAPPENING replication.
- Finally, in regard to dissemination and communication, these activities were executed: Website, 7 press releases and 8 newsletters published, activity on X (Twitter) and YouTube, participation in events and organization of 3 events organized, scientific publications.
The HAPPENING concept provides a low-intrusive retrofitting solution for the heating (&cooling) and DHW system of existing multi-family buildings, that takes advantage of the best aspects of both centralized and decentralized systems, while maximising the renewable energy use. HAPPENING consists of HPs in cascade, fed with renewable energy, with optimized operation:
1) Central aerothermal HP(s) generates tempered water (20-30ºC), providing the 1st thermal gap. In addition, there is also a thermal inertia (TES), aimed at having neutral water available for the system, as well as for optimization.
2) Then, low temperature water is distributed to dwellings.
3) At consumption level, the 2nd thermal gap is provided individually from the ring temperature to the use temperature, at dwelling level, and with different possible configurations, as:
- Water-to-water microHP for DWH + water-to-air microHPs for heating & cooling in each room
- Water-to-water booster HP, for DHW and heating, combined with low temperature emitters
4) In addition, this system can be fed by locally generated renewable electricity (e.g. photovoltaics on roof)
5) All this system is optimized due to a smart management and control system.
The HAPPENING concept has many benefits:
- As the generation is decoupled from consumption, thanks to the 2 levels heat and TES, the smart controls may optimize the COP of the central HP as well as the consumption of locally generated electricity (photovoltaics), for example generating the tempered water in the central hours of the day.
- Drastic reduction of heat losses thanks to the distribution at low (20-30°C) temperature
- COP of the individual HPs is very high and constant, due to tempered ring
- Versatility, as each dwelling may decide the configuration that better fits their needs/interests
- Scalability, demonstrated thanks to the 3 demo sites, different in size, climate and regulation
1) Central aerothermal HP(s) generates tempered water (20-30ºC), providing the 1st thermal gap. In addition, there is also a thermal inertia (TES), aimed at having neutral water available for the system, as well as for optimization.
2) Then, low temperature water is distributed to dwellings.
3) At consumption level, the 2nd thermal gap is provided individually from the ring temperature to the use temperature, at dwelling level, and with different possible configurations, as:
- Water-to-water microHP for DWH + water-to-air microHPs for heating & cooling in each room
- Water-to-water booster HP, for DHW and heating, combined with low temperature emitters
4) In addition, this system can be fed by locally generated renewable electricity (e.g. photovoltaics on roof)
5) All this system is optimized due to a smart management and control system.
The HAPPENING concept has many benefits:
- As the generation is decoupled from consumption, thanks to the 2 levels heat and TES, the smart controls may optimize the COP of the central HP as well as the consumption of locally generated electricity (photovoltaics), for example generating the tempered water in the central hours of the day.
- Drastic reduction of heat losses thanks to the distribution at low (20-30°C) temperature
- COP of the individual HPs is very high and constant, due to tempered ring
- Versatility, as each dwelling may decide the configuration that better fits their needs/interests
- Scalability, demonstrated thanks to the 3 demo sites, different in size, climate and regulation