4 | Industry and technology trends
The structure of the heat pump industry is changing. Once characterized by large
number of small manufacturers it is now moving towards the main stream of the
European heating, ventilation and air-conditioning market. Due to positive market
development over the last years and positive projections for the future, large
companies formerly only producing oil and gas appliances are gradually
introducing heat pumps in their product portfolios. Where independent
development seemed too slow or not economically feasible, several big players
have simply bought know-how, production capacity or access to market. The
smaller manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with
multinational giants benefitting from economy of scale, capital resources, and
established distribution networks.
This year’s ISH
10
fair supported the notion that heat pumps have entered the main
stream of the boiler business. While at last year’s exhibition the majority of
manufacturers showed at least one heat pump model as part of their portfolio, at
this years exhibition, nearly every exhibitor in Halls 8 and 9 presented an enlarged
field of products and presented its technology innovations.
In an overarching exhibition, the German Heat Pump Association in cooperation
with the Association of German heating appliances manufacturers (BDH) provided
an overview on technologies using renewable energy sources including heat
pumps.
Energy sources for heat pumps
One stream of innovation is developing around the combination of different
energy sources. Most manufacturers offer bi-valent systems that combine heat
pumps with solar-thermal collectors.
11
In order to allow for an efficient application
of such systems in harsh climates, they are often enhanced by a small gas-fired
boiler or electric resistant heater to provide heating and cooling even at days
without sunshine and low outdoor temperatures (tri-valent units). Several
companies from the Netherlands are offering such systems as wall-hung units for,
as a simple like-for-like replacement to existing boilers.
Air-source heat pumps are increasingly asked for as a result of the renovation
market coming into focus in countries like Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. Air-
source heat pumps, in particular air-water units are offered in several variations.
Variations in products offered apply to the size/noise level of the outside unit and
the temperature range covered.
Capacity control
Capacity modulating compressors are on the rise in several new heat pumps and
may already be considered a standard in air-source units. Multi-compressor
systems for air source units make use of the specific advantages of different
refrigerants over low and high temperature ranges. They combine two
compressors using different refrigerants to provide an efficient solution for the
different requirements of the heating and hot-water operation modes.
Use of efficient components
This year’s improvement of overall systems efficiency was supported by the use of
efficient components. In addition to the previously mentioned capacity
modulating compressors this meant the use of high efficiency (class A and better)
pumps for the heating and/or brine cycle, for air-water units, it meant the use of
similar pumps for the heating cycle and high efficiency motors to power the fans.
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Industry and technology trends
10 ISH, the international fair for
building technology, energy
supply, climatisation and
renewable energies, has a leading
character for industry. The fair
is visited by more than 200.000
visitors (approx. 33 % from
outside Germany) and takes
place every two years.
http://ish.messefrankfurt.com/
11 This type of integration is also the
focus of the new Task 44: Heat
pumps and solar integration to
the IEA solar heating and cooling
program. More information can be
found at http://wp-effizienz.ise.
fraunhofer.de/task44