Extended Laboratory Test Method for Combined Solar Thermal and Heat Pump Systems
Abstract
The combination of solar thermal components with electrically driven compression heat pumps to domestic hot water and space heating systems for smaller single- and multi-family houses is by now already well known among manufacturers in the heating market. However, standardized performance test methods for such combined systems are not yet available, even though standardized test procedures are crucial for the market development by ensuring a high quality level, and also for allowing end customers to compare different system types and configurations with regard to their thermal performance in an objective, transparent and easily understandable manner. Therefore, research has been undertaken by test laboratories in different European countries during the past few years in a common effort within IEA SHC Task 44 / HPP Annex 38 with the aim of extending well established laboratory test methods for solar thermal systems and components towards heat pumps as new components. One of these extended test methods, based on the so-called component testing – system simulation (CTSS) method, is described in detail in this paper and first experiences with a brine to water heat pump are shown. For the characterization of the thermal behavior of the heat pump under dynamic operating conditions, an artificial neural network model has been developed which is also presented.
Keywords
Combined solar thermal and heat pump system, Shp systems, Laboratory test method, Extension of