TEA-PUMP – Techno-economic Analysis of Thermoelectric Modules for Efficiency and Performance Enhancement in Heat Pumps for Residential Buildings
Short Description
Starting point / motivation
Highly efficient and affordable energy technologies are essential for the realization of climate-neutral buildings and cities. Heat pumps are a key technology for the energy transition and are expected to cover 25% of the national building heating demand by 2040. However, relatively high investment costs, limited capacity sizes, and space constraints hinder the rapid market penetration of heat pumps in large-scale urban residential buildings.
A promising approach to overcoming these barriers is the integration of thermoelectric modules into the refrigeration circuit of compression heat pumps. Insights from the automotive sector suggest that this technology can substantially improve efficiency and/or heating and cooling capacity.
Objectives and Scope
TEA-Pump aims to significantly enhance the performance and efficiency of air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps in the 20 kW to 100 kW range, which are widely needed for the decarbonization of heating and cooling in large-scale urban residential buildings.
The project will conduct a simulation study to assess whether and under what conditions integrating commercially available TEM into the refrigeration circuit of compression heat pumps for large residential buildings is competitive compared to conventional efficiency-enhancing measures from a techno-economic perspective.
The quantitative targets compared to state-of-the-art heat pumps for this application segment are:
- At least +10% COP improvement in both heating and cooling mode while maintaining output capacity
- 10% to 30% increase in heating and cooling capacity
- A payback period of no more than 10 years
Methods
TEA-Pump investigates the techno-economic feasibility of thermoelectric elements in heat pumps using a systematic and iterative approach, divided into four work packages:
- HP Configurations with TEM: Defining various refrigeration circuit configurations with TEM and comparing them to existing efficiency measures. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) enable quantitative evaluation.
- Numerical Modeling & Simulation: Validated component models form the basis for simulations and sensitivity analyses to identify efficiency potential compared to conventional HPs.
- Techno-economic Analysis: The economic viability of optimized HP configurations is assessed, considering technical, regulatory, and market factors.
- Exploitation Strategy & Patents: Potential IP protection for innovative HP concepts with TEM is evaluated, and a strategy for further development and experimental validation is devised.
Expected results
The main outcome is a comprehensive overview of promising heat pump refrigeration circuit configurations with thermoelectric elements in various capacity ranges for different categories of large-scale urban residential buildings (e.g., size, building standards, climate zones) while considering the requirements of national heat pump manufacturers. Additionally, the patenting of promising refrigeration circuit configurations with thermoelectric elements is planned.
If successful, the results will be transferred to a subsequent industrial research project for experimental validation at the prototype level in a laboratory setting. Due to its high level of innovation and strong market potential, TEA-Pump could establish technological leadership "Made in Austria." The project contributes to the realization of climate-neutral buildings, districts, and cities, strengthens Austria as an innovation hub, and will lead to the creation of sustainable, highly qualified jobs in the medium term.
Project Partners
Project management
AIT – Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Contact Address
Jerik Catal, MSc
Giefinggasse 2
A-1210 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (664) 88 964 974
E-mail: jerik.catal@ait.ac.at
Web: www.ait.ac.at