Heat pump network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems are limited by their reliance on a single heat source and lack flexibility in energy sourcing, leading to inefficiencies and reduced performance when environmental conditions change, and district heating architectures require improvements in efficiency and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A distributed heat pump network with multiple individual heat pumps connected to a common heat source that can be selectively coupled to various energy sources, including solar thermal panels, ground water loops, and electrical sources, allowing for concurrent energy use and heat exchange between units, with reversible heat pumps and buffer modules to manage excess heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single heat pump is connected to a single heat source, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to changing energy demands and environmental conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system is designed to perform multiple functions by connecting to different types of heat sources (ground, air, water) and serving multiple purposes (heating, cooling, domestic hot water). The system can operate in different modes depending on environmental conditions and energy demands, making it universally adaptable to various scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic control mechanisms that allow the heat pump to adjust its operation based on real-time environmental conditions and energy demands. The controller monitors parameters such as outdoor temperature, ground temperature, and heating/cooling requirements to dynamically optimize system performance and adaptability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If heat pumps are dedicated to a single heat source, then the system design is straightforward, but the energy efficiency deteriorates when environmental conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules including ground source heat exchange, air source heat exchange, water source heat exchange, and domestic hot water production. Each module can operate independently or in combination, allowing the system to segment energy sourcing from multiple sources and optimize efficiency based on which sources are most effective at any given time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple heat source technologies (ground source, air source, water source) into a composite hybrid system. This allows the system to leverage the advantages of each individual heat source type and switch between them or operate them simultaneously to maintain high energy efficiency across varying environmental conditions.
3Loss of energy
If excess heat is not redistributed, then the system operation is simple, but the energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through controllers that monitor heat production, heat demand, and system operating conditions. When excess heat is detected in one part of the system, the controller automatically activates redistribution mechanisms to transfer heat to areas or functions that require heating, thereby minimizing energy loss and optimizing overall system efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances energy efficiency by allowing heat pumps to adapt to changing energy demands, reduces energy losses through heat redistribution, and optimizes energy use by balancing heating and cooling loads across the network, improving overall system performance and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
Heat pumps are designed to move thermal energy opposite to the direction of spontaneous heat flow by absorbing heat from a cold space and releasing it to a warmer one
Implementation Method 2
Examples of these individual sources of energy include solar thermal panels
Implementation Method 3
Examples of these individual sources of energy include air heat exchangers
Implementation Method 4
The common heat source may be configured to allow a concurrent coupling of two or more of the individual sources of energy into the common heat source
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed heating network comprising a plurality of individual heat pumps. Each heat pump is individually coupled to a common heat source of the network, the common heat source of the network comprising a liquid loop within the network, the liquid of the loop being maintained at close to ambient temperature through active heat management of the common heat source. The common heat source is further coupled to at least one energy source. A controller is configure to thermally decouple the energy source from the heat.