Simulation of the Use of Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps in Different Climatic Conditions on the Example of Selected Cities: Warsaw, Madrid, Riga, and Rome

Abstract

Heat pumps, an example of one of the most environmentally friendly technologies, can play a key role in the future of sustainable energy. Due to the European Union’s ambitious goals to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, research is currently focused on finding solutions to increase the energy and economic efficiency of heating and cooling with heat pumps to benefit the environment. This paper presents the results of energy simulations for a single-family building located in selected cities—Warsaw (Poland), Madrid (Spain), Riga (Latvia), and Rome (Italy)—as a case study for different climate conditions and energy policy. In each variant, ground and air source heat pumps are considered for heating, cooling, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) purposes. Moreover, we conducted an economic estimation including investment and operating costs, as well as an ecological analysis of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Results show that heat pumps as an energy source for HVAC systems seem to be much more beneficial for Mediterranean-type subtropical climates, than for continental-type climates. The lowest value of total energy demand was obtained in Rome (60 kWh/m2∙rok), while the highest values were recorded in Riga and Warsaw (more than 90 kWh/m2∙rok). In terms of economic and environmental aspects, the use of heat pumps was most advantageous when considering Rome. This paper provides a starting point for further research focusing on increasing the energy and economic efficiency of heat pumps, especially in cold climates, as well as a multi-parameter analysis taking into account national prices, policies regarding development of renewable energy sources, and technical and climatic conditions. It also shows how increasing the share of renewable energy sources (RESs) in the national energy mix contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

Techno-Economic Analysis of Hydrogen as a Storage Solution in an Integrated Energy System for an Industrial Area in China

“…Several tools and techniques have been proposed for their economic analysis and sizing, but HOMER has been selected by several researchers to size integrated energy systems due to its ability to simulate a large number of energy sources and predefined energy-scheduling strategies. Oltarzewska presented the results of energy simulations for single-family buildings located in selected cities-Warsaw (Poland), Madrid (Spain), Riga (Latvia), and Rome (Italy)-as a case study for different climate conditions and energy policies [37].…”

Influence of different heating systems on thermal comfort perception: a dynamic and CFD analysis

“…According to market data [3], in Europe the most widespread typology of heat pumps employed in residential sector for heating and cooling are air source heat pumps, ASHP. The prevalence of ASHP is related basically to the availability of the air as heat source and to the limited installation cost respect to other types of heat pumps as for example ground source heat pumps [4,5]; air source heat pumps, on the other hand, are characterized by reduced performances with respect to ground source heat pumps, and their performance strongly depends on weather conditions and frost formation on the external evaporator, as suggested in many papers in the literature [6][7][8]. The transition towards more sustainable energy sources in building heating, however, should not overlook the importance of thermal comfort and indoor air quality.…”