WP11

Lab scale thermal-grid-indifferent testing of a prototype for heating and cooling

Abstract:

The aim of this work package is to develop, test and evaluate system-level solutions for heating at medium and high temperatures (up to 160 °C) as well as for cooling and long-term storage, which were developed in WP05. The system solution for heating and cooling consists of a combination of different renewable energy sources and have low or even negative CO2 emissions. The main focus is on the thermal-grid-independent property of the system, which can be operated as a stand-alone system and, if available, use grids as heat sources or sinks. The solution (combined energy system and storage) is tested under realistic conditions (temperature, load profile demand etc.). The goal is to optimize a combined energy-system prototype under the technological and socio-economic aspects in order to demonstrate the resulting mature system solution in the subsequent P&D WP.

Objectives:

WP11 in Phase II is the practice-oriented continuation of WP05 in Phase I and focuses on the development of efficient, renewable, combined energy system prototype providing emission-free mid- and high-temperature heat and cooling for various applications in the industry sector, the services and residential sector. The ultimate goal is to develop commercially viable and cost-efficient technological system and demonstrate it in the follow-up WPP&D "Energy CubeCH".

The main objectives are:

  • Proof of concept and validation by developing, implementing, and testing the combined energy system and storage solutions from WP05 within a realistic environment (TRL 8).
  • Combined energy system solution provides renewable mid- and high-temperature heat and cooling and innovative storages which will be demonstrated in follow up P&D project
  • Preparation of the market launch through tools, guidelines, policy recommendations and business models

Research questions:

  1. Do the combined systems deliver the expected temperatures and performance?
  2. How easily can the prototype be scaled up for higher performance?
  3. How well can the energy systems and storage systems be retrofitted into existing plants?
  4. How far can a modular design approach be followed in order to flexibly meet the needs?
  5. How flexible are the concepts for different industrial applications and different site conditions?
  6. How large is the socio-economically feasible decarbonization potential of the combined energy systems for Switzerland?
  7. How big is the contribution of storage to the winter peak shift?
  8. What is their economic viability and what financing instruments can help to support their dissemination?

Measurable targets:

  1. Construction of a prototype based on the combined energy concept to supply CO2 neutral heat up to 160°C for industry and living area
  2. Development of user-friendly tools and recommendations for end users, investors, and decision makers
  3. Recommendations for the market launch of the systems in Switzerland
  4. Preparation P&D project

Tasks:

  •  T11.1 Development and testing of grid-independent energy system prototype
  •  T11.2 Digitalization and Guidelines
  •  T11.3 Socio-economic impact and guidelines to market

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): from 5 to 8

Expected Outcomes / Milestones:

  • Prototype developed
  • Evaluation of prototype performance
  • Pilot and demonstration sites confirmed

Duration: January 2025 - December 2028 (48 months)

Lead: Dr. Mercedes Hannelore Rittmann-Frank (OST-SPF)

Team:

 WP10

WP12