Introduction
Sustainable heating technologies are crucial for reducing energy consumption and enhancing efficiency in residential and commercial buildings. Taiz Energy conducted a comprehensive Technoeconomic Assessment (TEA) for a novel roof water heating system integrated with a heat pump. This assessment aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility, economic viability, and environmental benefits of this innovative system.
Project Overview
The system in question is designed to harness solar energy for water heating and utilize a heat pump to ensure consistent temperature maintenance, even during periods of low sunlight. The system’s unique ability to harvest energy at lower temperatures than comparable technologies makes it highly efficient and economically beneficial.
The roof water heating system is part of a larger hybrid energy solution, combining a water-to-water heat pump, a large solar thermal collector, and a thermal storage unit. This combination allows the system to deliver hot water and heating throughout the year, with significant cost and CO2 savings. The system can maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, even during mid-winter, and is suitable for multi-apartment setups, making it ideal for housing associations or commercial buildings.
The system is classified as a ‘solar-assisted, heat pump system’ and is designed to keep properties at a comfortable 21°C year-round. The innovative roof system, made of weather-tight, interlocking endothermic tile planks, absorbs and stores heat energy day and night. This system not only leverages solar energy but also continuously harvests heat through an endothermic process, even without direct solar gain.
Unlike traditional heat pumps, this system decouples the heat pump from the building’s heat load. This system relies on a 42KWh thermal store to deliver heat, reducing the operational burden on the heat pump and prioritizing solar thermal energy. This approach eliminates the common issues faced by air source heat pumps, such as icing, and maximizes efficiency.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
The assessment demonstrated that the system is up to 60% cheaper to run than conventional gas boilers, providing a robust financial return on investment within three to five years. The substantial reduction in energy consumption translates into significant savings and a notable decrease in carbon emissions, aligning with sustainability goals.
The system is scalable, capable of serving multiple units, and can be set up as a mini district heating system. It’s fully autonomous and intelligently prioritizes harvesting heat from lower carbon energy sources, with the heat pump as a secondary source. Manufactured in the UK, the components are designed for longevity, with a roof component lifespan of over 50 years and a solar energy processor lifespan of over 20 years. All components are fully recyclable at the end of their life cycle.
This comprehensive assessment supports informed decision-making, encouraging stakeholders to invest confidently in sustainable technologies.
Contact us to learn how Taiz Energy can support your sustainable development projects through our expert Technoeconomic Assessment services.