Work

Evaluating the efficiency, economics, and environmental impact of hybrid heat pumps assisted by biomass boilers for Spanish climate zones

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Air source heat pumps have two well-known disadvantages during the coldest period of the year, when the building's heating load is at its peak, its capacity is reduced and need to defrost cycles. A potential solution is to size the heat pump to cover only a fraction of the peak load and then use a second heat generator in a hybrid heat pump system. Despite much research into hybridization of heat pumps with gas boilers, there is a gap in the literature regarding the design analysis of hybrid heat pump systems, particularly in terms of combining heat pumps and biomass boilers, and evaluating their efficiency, economic aspects, and environmental impact. Thus, in this research a dynamic model of a hybrid heat pump, consisting of an air-to-water heat pump paired with a biomass boiler as a backup, is presented. The system is simulated for three different climate zones in Spain to evaluate key performance indicators, such as efficiency, emissions, operational costs, and other relevant factors. Results indicate that the energy performance of hybrid heat pump systems is significantly affected by the climate zones, heat pump size, cut-off temperature, storage tank size and the control algorithm used to activate the heat generators

Source: Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.136180

Authors: Javier Uche, Milad Tajik Jamal-Abad, Amaya Martínez-Gracia

Institution: Universidad de Zaragoza

Language: English

Topic: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technologies

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,260