Funder: UKRI-EPSRC - Thermal Energy Challenge
Duration: 01 March 2016 to 28 February 2018
Staff Involved: Prof N Hewitt
The purpose of the proposed research programme was to address the challenge of providing domestic hot water (DHW) using low carbon heat pump technology given the overwhelming trend away from conventional hot water tanks in homes and the inability of present heat pumps to provide instant hot water. Ulster used a novel compressor developed by industrial partner Emerson that has an exceptional range of running speeds, enabling the same device to either deliver e.g. 25 kW for instantaneous hot water or 10 kW or less for space heating. This was used in conjunction with a small buffer store to overcome the delay in start-up before hot water is available.