Low-temperature thermal heating and high temperature thermal cooling (LowEx) HVAC system

DESCRIPTION:

This low-temperature heating and high temperature cooling HVAC system (LowEx) is a novel system which delivers low-temperature thermal heating and high temperature thermal cooling by using the infrastructure coupled with the ground source heat pump. It is designed to maximize the effectiveness of ground source heat pump systems.

VALUE

By reducing the energy needs for heating and cooling, the local renewable energy production can be used for addressing other buildings end-uses (lighting, ventilation, appliances) which are less dependent on seasonality, thus reducing the yearly mismatch between the PV production and the buildings’ energy use. The LowEx system is integrated by using the existing infrastructure, thus saving cost and embodied energy from material use. The same can be said about the use of a common system for heating and cooling, resulting in less need for piping and heating and cooling emitters. The use of high temperature cooling makes it possible to utilize free cooling from the energy wells to a much larger extent than in traditional systems, because cooling from the wells can be directly utilized even when the temperature of the water from the borehole rises towards 19 °C. This technology is interesting for many actors as it reduces the need of energy from the grid, it is clean, and the energy can be applied directly to use efficiently. The technology has scaling potential as it reduces the energy cost for building owners. Hence the constructors, architects and service providers will benefit from more practical knowledge about the technology to be able to provide it to meet the demand.

APPLICATION

The LowEx system is integrated in the demo project in Oslo (Voldsløkka) by using the existing infrastructure, thus saving cost and embodied energy from material use. The system works well for both small and large buildings. It is well suited for all new energy efficient buildings and in deep renovation processes. However, the system requires installation of radiant heat tubing, which could be challenging in some renovation projects. In the Oslo demo project, the LowEx system wis being demonstrated, followed up, and evaluated. Building energy flexibility is recognised as an important property of the future. Flexibility enables a building (or group of buildings) to shift its energy demand in time, either as response to an external signal from the grid, or to optimize its self-use of locally produced electricity. The way the LowEx system integrates its heating and cooling system into the building construction, enables efficient activation of the building thermal mass. This makes the building well prepared to be an active asset in the future energy market.

POTENTIAL IMPACT

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