Heat pump integration in a real poly-generative energy district: A techno-economic analysis

Abstract

• A time-dependent thermo-economic approach for energy districts analysis was used. • TES already proved their effectiveness as optimal storage asset of energy districts. • Integration of HP in a poly-generative district is simulated. • Compared to actual configuration, energy performance increases. • Power-to-heat systems based on HP + TES are valuable for energy districts management. This paper presents a techno-economic feasibility analysis related to a heat pump installation in a poly-generative energy district to convert the overproduction of electricity into thermal power, easy to be stored in thermal storage tanks. The heat pump technology is already used for thermal/cooling energy production in different areas although application in energy districts in a power-to-heat modality to improve management of electrical/thermal energy demands is still limited. In this research, the installation of a heat pump in the poly-generative smart grid located at the University of Genoa Campus is presented. A time dependent one-year techno-economic analysis of the energy district is performed, throughout a model built with a software developed by the authors. The integration of the heat pump in the energy district is analysed, comparing the energetic, environmental and economic performance to the present configuration of the poly-generative energy district. The results show that the heat pump introduction grants several advantages, such as a reduction in gas consumption (24 ton/year, −15%) and an increase in the annual energy efficiency of cogenerative prime movers which can work for a higher number of hours (+23%) close to the design point.