We are going to have the fourth seminar of SP&E’s Renewable Energy Seminar Series on 'Narrowing the Performance Gap of UK ground source heat pumps'  on Monday, 16th December  2013, given by Professor Christopher Underwood who is currently Professor of Energy Modelling for the Built Environment at Northumbria University.

Abstract and biography are given below.

Date & Time:   1-2 pm on Monday, 16th December

Venue:  PG Suite 468, James Watt Building South

Tea/coffee/biscuits before the start.

 

 

Abstract

The initial field trial results of 82 domestic air- and ground-source heat pump installations in the UK by the Energy Saving Trust were damning.  They reported average performances ('CoPs') of 2.15 for air source heat pumps and 2.34 for ground source heat pumps - well below expectations, and this has set back an expected rapid growth in the take-up of this technology by several years.  The results were all the more unexpected since other evidence accumulated from laboratory-scale investigations and other field trials in continental Europe and the USA pointed to far better performances with the potential to delivery significant carbon emission reductions.  The finger of blame has pointed in a number of directions but all that is clear is the that the reasons for the disappointing UK results are multi-faceted taking in manufacturing, design and maintenance issues.  In this presentation, some of the EST data will be reviewed alongside both laboratory test data and manufacturers declared performance data both of which confirm a significant 'Performance Gap' between expected and actual performances.  Reasons for this will be explored and measures to improve heat pump technology, installation design, and operating and maintenance procedures that might collectively close the Performance Gap of these systems will be suggested.

Biography

Chris completed a first degree in Building Services Engineering at Newcastle Polytechnic in 1981 and went on to become an SRC-sponsored Research Assistant during which he investigated the capacity control of absorption cycle heat pumps developing the very first fully dynamic model of the absorption cycle heat pump in the process.  He subsequently joined the permanent staff at Newcastle Polytechnic (later Northumbria University) and became Reader in 1998 and Professor in 2006 specialising in energy modelling methods and smart control of HVAC systems.  He has published over 100 refereed papers plus contributions to 4 books and has held numerous research and commercial consultancy grants.  He holds the CIBSE's Dufton and Napier-Shaw prizes for contributions to research.

First published: 24 October 2013

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