3-E analisys of a heat pump driven by a microcogenerator

The cogeneration, or the combined production of electric(and/or mechanical) and thermal energy, is a well establishedtechnology, which has important environmental benefits and ithas been noted by the European Community as one of the firstelements to save primary energy, to avoid network losses and toreduce the greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the studywill be focused on the micro-cogeneration process with microcombinedheat and power system, or MCHP (electric poweroutput ≤ 15 kW), which represents a valid and interestingapplication of this technology applicable, above all, toresidential and light commercial users. This paper presents theEnergy, Economic and Environmental (3-E) analysis of anatural gas-fired MCHP in combination with an electric heatpump (EHP). The 3-E analysis of the MCHP/EHP begins withthe results of a detailed experimental activity developed in atest facility [1] for a wide range of conditions.Two operating conditions were simulated: a heating mode withco-production of electric and thermal energy, and a coolingmode with co-production of electric, thermal and coolingenergy (tri-generation). The annual operating performance, alsobased on the typical features of the Italian market, is alsodiscussed with a simplified approach.