Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems IEGHeat alone accounts for half of the energy transition! Both residential heating and various industrial processes require heat in a suitable temperature range. Heat pumps can help to mediate between the target and current heat levels by coupling different energy sources and application sectors together. Heat pumps are therefore a key tool in the energy transition. Fraunhofer IEG is developing many different aspects of high-temperature and low-temperature heat pumps in its projects.
Our competencies include the creation, evaluation, and implementation of tailored technical concepts to use heat pumps in specific applications of up to 5 megawatts: for high temperature ranges from 60 to 160°C, or in scenarios where large temperature differences need to be bridged. Heat pumps can also be combined with sustainable energy sources such as solar thermal or geothermal energy and innovative heat storage systems such as disused mine shafts to build local heating and cooling networks.
The researchers at Fraunhofer IEG...
- analyse heating infrastructure;
- establish technical requirements for heat pumps;
- plan regional supply concepts and heating and cooling systems;
- develop technologies to connect the electricity, gas, and heating sectors;
- test heat pumps in field scale laboratories at temperatures ranging up to 160°C.