The Use of Heat Pumps for Heating Purposes in the Region of Warmia and Mazury in North-Eastern Poland

Abstract

The Region of Warmia and Mazury in north-eastern Poland is situated at a distance from conventional energy sources. Therefore, the Region is a Polish leader in power generation from renewable energy sources. This study investigated the efficiency of a heat pump system for heating a single-family house based on an energy balance and a cost-benefit analysis. Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in the use of heat pumps for heating purposes in the residential housing sector. Due to their lower running costs, heat pumps can provide considerable savings over other energy sources and contribute to mitigating adverse environmental impacts. The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn has developed, in collaboration with the Warmia and Mazury Energy Agency, a renewable energy strategy for 2010–2020 in the Region of Warmia and Mazury. The strategy is consistent with the Polish Energy Policy and the national plan for the use of renewable energy sources, based on the results of studies investigating the use of heat pumps in 2000–2010. In 2010, total energy consumption in the analyzed area reached 71,827.5 TJ. Renewable energy consumption was determined at 7743 TJ, which accounted for 10.78% of total energy consumption, including all sectors and energy carriers. Heat pump power generation was 7.2 TJ, i.e. 0.093% of renewable energy consumption and 0.01% of total energy consumption. According to the proposed strategy, heat pumps with heating output ratings of 3.77 MW will be installed by 2020, and the total amount of HP power will reach 40.68 TJ, thus implying an increase of 33.48 TJ (over 446%) relative to 2010.