nir-vana innovation network

Much effort in recent decades has been made in the EU and elsewhere in the world to ensure cleaner air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many agreements and protocols have been signed on environmental issues. Controlling Europe's energy consumption and increased use of energy from renewable sources, combined with energy savings and increased energy efficiency, are an important part of measures needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Currently, hot water boilers and cogeneration units (CHP) are being used for high-temperature heating of buildings and in industry. CHP plants have an overall efficiency of about 85% relative to the low heating value of the primary fuel and are economically unprofitable without subsidies. High-temperature heating of buildings and industry is identified as one of the most challenges issues at regional and local level due to the high use of non-renewable energy sources and a very low share of renewable energy sources. In order to improve the fuel energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources for high-temperature heating of buildings, innovative technical solutions were developed. The novelty of the demonstration project is unique integration of mini CHP (27% electrical efficiency), a heat pump (HP), a CHP gas engine exhaust gas condenser and heat accumulators. The heat user takes heat from the heat storage according to their heating needs. From the heat accumulators, the cold return water is fed to the water vapor condenser present in the exhaust gas of the mini CHP gas engine and heated by a few degrees °C, then from the condenser the return water is led to a water / water type heat pump (HP), where by utilizing low-temperature renewable heat sources (groundwater, geosond), the return water of the heating system is heated to 55 °C, and then the return water is led to mini CHP, where it is heated to the final temperature, in our case 73 °C and then leads to heat accumulator.The use of electricity produced by mini CHP is foreseen for the HP compressor operation.

The demonstration project provides to increase the fuel efficiency (natural gas, diesel, LPG, etc.) up to 230% by using renewable energy sources with heat pump for high-temperature heating of buildings. About 80% of the heat is generated from low-temperature renewable heat sources.

The innovation is especially interesting to produce heat for high-temperature heating systems the residential buildings, public buildings, hotels, hospitals or industry.

The research institution is looking for a reliable industrial partner, active on the field of high temperature heating users to sign licence, joint venture, research and/or commercial agreement with technical assistance with companies and organization from EU and beyond.

Advantages & innovations

- Hot water boilers and cogeneration units (CHP) are being used for high-temperature heating of buildings and in industry. - CHP plants have an overall efficiency of about 85% relative to the low heating value of the primary fuel and are economically unprofitable without subsidies. - A combination of mini CHP, heat pump, condenser flue gases and heat accumulators, could achieve a total primary fuel efficiency of up to 230% in relation to LHV (natural gas, diesel, LPG, etc.) of which about 125% of heat is generated from renewable heat sources. - Approximately more than 50%. of heat being produced through the use of low-temperature renewable heat sources (groundwater, geothermal heat exchanger or air). - Primary fuel efficiency of larger CHPs with higher electrical efficiency may be even greater than 230%. - The innovative plant can be used to produce heat for high-temperature heating systems the residential buildings, public buildings, hotels, hospitals or industry. - Very good economics of the innovative plant compared to existing high temperature heating technology.

Stage of development

Available for demonstration

Partner sought

The research institution is looking for a reliable industrial partner, active on the field of high temperature heating users to sign licence, joint venture, research and/or commercial agreement with technical assistance with companies and organization from EU and beyond. The innovation is especially interesting to produce heat for high-temperature heating systems the residential buildings, public buildings, hotels, hospitals or industry.