Experimental performance analysis of a multiple-source and multiple-use heat pump system: winter field experiment and heating operation performance evaluation

Abstract

We herein report the development of a distributed heat pump system that can utilize a variety of renewable energy sources to meet different building heating and cooling demands (i.e., a multiple source and multiple use heat pump system, MMHP). In this system, a water circulating loop is used to connect ground heat exchangers, a unique sky-source heat pump, and various heat pumps for heating and cooling purposes to form a thermal network within a building. This distribution increases the flexibility of the system and allows an improved matching of supply and demand. To evaluate the system performance, an experimental house was constructed, and a winter field experiment was conducted. We found that the reported heat pump for floor heating achieved a stable operation with a high coefficient of performance of ~11.5, while the heat collecting operation performance of the sky-source heat pump varied significantly depending on the amount of solar radiation and the outside air temperature. Finally, since the sky-source heat pump contributes to an improvement in the whole system performance, it appears that there is still room for improved regarding the whole system performance by adjusting the operating and control strategy.

Development of distributed multiple‐source and multiple‐use heat pump system using renewable energy: Outline of test building and experimental evaluation of cooling and heating performance

“…The results of the winter field experiment in March were evaluated to determine the performance of the MMHP system 32 . Based on the accumulated values of the heat output and power consumption, we calculated the average COP of each HP, and that of the entire system.…”

“…The results of the winter field experiment in March were evaluated to determine the performance of the MMHP system. 32 Based on the accumulated values of the heat output and power consumption, we calculated the average COP of each HP, and that of the entire system. Figures 19 and 20 show the heat output, power consumption, and power generation (by SSHP) for the two representative days and the entire experimental period, respectively.…”