High-temperature heat pumps (HTHPs) with supply temperatures above 100 °C are becoming increasingly important in industry to replace fossil fuels. Although HTHPs are available on the market, their adoption is slow as there is still a lack of knowledge and a gap in practical implementation.
The project HTHP-CH develops a guide and an assessment tool for integrating HTHPs in practice based on highly relevant case studies for the Swiss industry. The focus is on processes with energy demand above 100 °C, in both batch and continuous operation. Examples are drying, evaporation, sterilization, etc.
Suitable HTHP integration concepts will be developed with quantified results in terms of efficiency gains, CO2 emission reduction potentials, and cost-efficiency. In parallel, the HTHP-CH project will be accompanied by the participation in the IEA HPT Annex 58 project on HTHPs to share results and knowledge with a group of international experts.
The HTHP-CH project is a collaboration of the following research partners and combines their strengths and competencies:
- OST-IES (Institute for Energy Systems) leads the activities, develops suitable concepts for HTHP integration based on case studies, and prepares a guideline as an evaluation tool for practice.
- EPFL-IPESE (Industrial Process and Energy Systems Engineering) develops solutions (web-based tools) for the optimal integration of HTHPs based on modeling and energy systems integration.
- HEIG-VD/IGT (Energy Optimization & Pinch Analysis Competence Center) has a deep understanding of the capabilities and limitations of applying pinch analysis and has insight into the difficulties in practical implementation.
- CSD Engineers SA has close contacts with industry and heat pump manufacturers and practical experience with large heat pump projects (industrial-scale, district heating, multi-family houses, etc.).
In addition, three industrial partners in Switzerland (ELSA, Cremo SA, and Gustav Spiess AG) are actively supporting the project by supplying case studies and access to industrial process data (Table 2). Furthermore, other industrial companies (e.g., food, biotech, chemical) and heat pump suppliers are in contact with the project team showing interest in HTHPs.
The HTHP-CH project (3 years, Q4/2021 to Q1/2024) is structured in five work packages (WPs).
Paper on HTHP-CH at the WP-Tagung 2022 in Burgdorf
Presentation of HTHP-CH at the WP-Tagung 2022 in Burgdorf
Link to the Swiss national team description
Link to the IEA HPT Annex 58 Website
Technology review about supplier technologies and demonstration cases
