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Integrated HP Combinations and

Developments for NZEB

Justin Tamasauskas, Roberto Sunye, Martin Kegel

Research Engineer, Buildings Group, CanmetENERGY-Varennes

IEA HPP Annex 40 Workshop

May 12th, 2014, Montreal

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Canadian Context

Canadian building sector

31 % of secondary energy use

28 % of GHG emissions

Heating, cooling, and DHW

82 % of energy use in residential sector

61 % of energy use in commercial/institutional sector

Heat pumps

Critical in reducing energy use and GHG emissions

Capable of efficiently meeting space heating, cooling, and DHW

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NZEB Implementation

ASHRAE target

All new buildings net zero by 2030

Key components of NZEB

Integration of renewable energy with mechanical system

Efficient HVAC systems

Thermal storage technologies

Optimal management and system operation

Appropriate building and grid level interaction

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HPs in NZEB Design

Heat pumps have critical role in NZEB design

High efficiency heating, cooling, and DHW

Typical efficiencies of over 300%

Optimal use of renewable energy

Upgrade free energy from renewable sources (air, solar, geothermal)

Smaller and less costly renewable energy systems

Key component in smart grid

Effective integration of thermal storage

Improved demand side management

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HPs in NZEB Design

Key research questions

What is the best way to integrate heat pumps?

Heat pump source, distribution methods

What are the best thermal storage options for heat pumps?

Integration with existing heat pump technologies

How can heat pump + storage systems be optimally managed?

Rule based vs. advanced building controls

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HPs in NZEB Design

CanmetENERGY-Varennes addressing these challenges

Systematic analysis of conventional and innovative HP systems

Residential and commercial buildings

Locations across Canada

Novel heat pump systems

Ice based thermal storage with solar assisted heat pump

Cold climate heat pump systems

Ground source CO2 systems

Application of advanced control strategies to HP integrations

Preliminary analysis of HP control implications

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HP Integrations in NZEB

Challenging Canadian market

Climate

Utility rates

Low cost of typical heating and cooling equipment

Objective

Identify cost competitive HP integrations in Canada

Approach

Model development

System integration

Techno-economic analysis

Image: Renewable Ireland 2014

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HPs in NZEB: Residential Sector

How do we make existing homes Net-Zero Ready?

Paths to NZR

I. High performance envelope

II. Improved envelope + HP

III. High performance HP

Systematic techno-economic analysis

Two regions in Canada

Publication of results at IBPSA 2013- Chambery, France

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HPs in NZEB: Residential Sector

Sample results for Montreal region

Case 1-Maintain Existing

Performance Levels

Case 2-High Performance

HP (GSHP) + Existing

Envelope

Case 3-High Performance

Building Envelope

Case 4- Improved

Envelope + ASHP

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HPs in NZEB: Commercial Buildings

What are effective HP integrations in commercial buildings?

Impact of building and climate

Large office & Multi-unit residential building (MURB)

Five climate regions across Canada

Current focus

Market ready solutions

HP with solar thermal and cogeneration technologies

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HPs in NZEB: Commercial Buildings

Preliminary results to be presented at IEA HPP 2014

Competitive solution in high performance buildings

Examination of more complex integrations

Cogeneration system for MURB

Solar thermal systems for office and MURB

Natural gas fired absorption heat pumps

Image: Heat Pump Association 2014

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Novel HP Systems: Ice Slurry SAHP

New solar HP with ice slurry storage

Smaller tank sizes

Improved collector efficiency

Strong energy savings potential

Objective

Cost competitive integration for Canadian market

Extensive development work

Energy modelling and simulation in Canadian homes

Test bench

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Novel HP Systems: Cold Climate HP

Cold climate heat pumps

Improved performance at lower ambient temperatures

Cost issue

Objective

Cost-competitive cold climate heat pumps

Approach

Hybrid ejector/compression

Zeotropic refrigerant mixtures

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Novel HP Systems: GSHP with CO2

GSHP

Significant energy savings potential

High cost

CO2 as a refrigerant

Higher system efficiencies

Smaller boreholes Cost savings

Current work

CO2 DX GSHP

Simulation

Test bench

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Conclusion

Challenges remain regarding HPs and NZEB

Optimal integration, cost, and management

Systematic HP system analysis

Residential and commercial buildings

Techno-economic framework

Novel HP technology development

Solar HP with ice slurry storage

Cold climate HP concepts

GSHP with CO2

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Questions?