Project description
How AI could optimise heat pump systems
Heating homes and buildings efficiently is a major challenge in creating a low-carbon society, especially for systems that require substantial energy. R744 (CO2) heat pumps are gaining attention as a sustainable solution because they use an eco-friendly refrigerant and can integrate renewable energy sources (RESs) and hot thermal energy storage (HTES). However, they often do not perform their best, owing to poor control systems, especially when combined with RESs and HTES. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the AI-Heat Pump project will develop an AI-driven real-time optimisation algorithm. This algorithm will ensure R744 heat pumps operate at peak efficiency, reducing costs by 15 % in multi-family homes.
Objective
The heating sector is a critical challenge in the global transition toward a low-carbon society, particularly for hard-to-abate applications requiring substantial energy (e.g. residential applications). Among various green technologies, transcritical R744 (CO2) heat pumps have emerged as a future-proof solution thanks to their eco-friendly and safe refrigerant (i.e. R744). On the one hand, R744-based heating systems can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, including Russian gas, especially by integrating renewable energy sources (RESs) and hot thermal energy storages (HTESs), enhancing resilience to energy price fluctuations. On the other hand, its energy and economic performance is hindered by suboptimal control between the heat pump and heat distribution/domestic hot water system, which becomes more complex when integrating RESs and HTES. Thus, the AI-Heat Pump project aims to develop and demonstrate the first ever artificial intelligence (AI)-driven real-time optimization algorithm to allow R744-based heating systems integrated with RESs and a HTES to always operate at the highest cost-effective conditions. The algorithm will be implemented with respect to RES availability, HTES status, heating demand, heat pump/heat distribution status and, electricity price and it will be tested on the transcritical R744 heat pump setup at SDU. Compared to the heat pumps using conventional refrigerants, i.e. synthetic refrigerants often classified as PFAS and/or slightly flammable, the algorithm will allow R744-based heating systems to be about 15 % more cost-effective in multi-family houses. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with the University of Edinburgh (HTES modelling) and Bitzer Electronics A/S (enhanced system control and integration). Therefore, as concrete value and impact, this project will lay robust foundations for sustainable future and thus pave the way for remarkable enhancements for business and society concerning the green heating sector.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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5230 Odense M
Denmark
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