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Heat
The change in the heating sector - from the current fossil fuel-based to climate-neutral heat supply - is a central goal of the energy transition and mandatory to slow down the detrimental effects of the climate change. The heat pump technology is the key technology to realize this needed transformation. Heat pumps can - for example - use ambient heat as source to generate heat for living or industrial process. Further, it joins the heating sector very efficiently with the (future climate-neutral) electrical energy sector.
The heat project was applied by Clausthal University of Technology, Leibniz Universität Hannover, TU Braunschweig, together with the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen (HAWK), the Institute for Solar Energy Research GmbH Hameln (ISFH) and the Steinbeis Innovation Centre (siz) energieplus.
The spokesperson locations are the TU Braunschweig and the HAWK. The team of spokespersons consists of Dr Wilhelm Tegethoff (TU Braunschweig) and Prof Dr Stefan Holler (HAWK). The coordinator is Dr. Johannes Pelda (HAWK).
Goals, methods and areas of innovation
Motivation and research approach
The Heat Research Platform deals with the comprehensive investigation of key issues relating to innovative heat supply technologies. The innovation areas differ in their research aspects related to heat pump technology. The central aspect is the model-based development of concepts that are validated and tested through experimental studies and demonstrators. Here, the real-life application is the underlying character in all innovation areas.
The aim is to use an interdisciplinary approach to develop holistic solutions that fulfil the technological, economic and ecological requirements. A particular focus is on close cooperation with industry and business in Lower Saxony in order to create practical, marketable solutions. At the same time, the integration of the Social Dynamics research platform plays a decisive role in sustainably anchoring the developed heating technologies in society and promoting their acceptance.
Innovation areas
| Name | Research questions |
| I. High-temperature large heat pump | Development of high-temperature large-scale heat pumps using two-component refrigerants, combined with (latent) heat storage to decouple heat supply from power supply and optimize operation |
| II. Heat pump technology for building supply | Research and development of a compact heat pump module in which oil-free and/or components from automotive thermal management are optionally used |
Innovation area I - High-temperature large heat pumps
Research into high-temperature heat pumps (HT-HP) is focused on increasing the useful temperature level, using environmentally friendly refrigerants and providing planning documents. Research on thermodynamic cycle processes with natural refrigerant mixtures such as ammonia/water is a major topic as well.
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Innovation area II - Heat pump technology for building supply
The innovation area of heat pump technology for building supply deals with a new type of heat pump technology: the aim is to develop a compact heat pump module which is oil-free and uses components from automotive thermal management system to finally realize a low-cost but effective plug-and-play device.
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