Norway has a strong growth in low-energy buildings in the recent years,
and about 10.000 low-energy houses are already build, or are in the construction or design phase (state 2007).
Adequate technologies for heating, cooling and ventilation are needed for this rapidly emerging market.
Heat pumps are seen as a promising solution for heating and cooling of low-energy buildings due to high energy efficiency,
utilization of renewable energy sources, great flexibility with regard to system design and heating capacities,
and the fact that relatively high energy prices und low interest rates are favourable
when investing in relatively expensive heating technologies.
The focus of the Norwegian national project is a study of heat pump systems suited for low-energy houses.
This comprises an evaluation whether heat pump systems already introduced in other countries in low-energy buildings
are feasible for Norwegian boundary conditions, e.g. the cold winter climate.
In particular, ventilation air heat pumps shall be evaluated.
A prototype propane water-to-water heat pump unit for space heating and hot water heating (integrated unit)
will also be monitored during one year of operation in a low-energy house.
Investigations on the following subjects will also be conducted:
- Analysis of a heat pump plant in a small-scale district heating system connected to low-energy apartment buildings and block of flats
- Analysis of heat pump water heater systems for low energy block of flats
- Analysis of compact units with heat pumps for low-energy houses and passive houses
- Analysis of a propane water-to-water heat pump system for a low-energy house
- Theoretical analysis
- Design and construction of a prototype system
- Laboratory testing
- Field testing
The Norwegian participation in IEA HPP Annex 32 is supported by Enova SF.
