European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) - NEWS

Star Refrigeration supplies world’s largest natural heat pump

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:48:00 +0100

Having been honoured with the “contractor of the year 2009” award for its “ground-braking installations and pioneering approach to the use of natural refrigerants” from the rac magazine (refrigeration & air conditioning), Star refrigeration is about to take it to the next level. The company is right now in the design and manufacturing process of a large heat pump that will deliver over 14MW of heat at over 90°C. The system components are specifically designed for NH3 and pressures up to 65bar. A special design and the application of cutting edge technology will deliver 3-fold heating capability compared to an electric heating system. read more Source:ammonia21.com

Hydrocarbon blends as HFC replacements

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:51:00 +0100

An estimated 70+ participants gathered at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in London on 3 March 2010 for the “Transforming Technologies Conference” organised by ACR News.

To enable the industry to get up to speed with new technologies vying to become mainstream solutions for the future, the conference focused on low carbon cooling and heating solutions, such as hydrocarbons. Nicholas Cox, Managing Director of UK-based Earthcare Products Limited presented on the “Developments and Opportunities Using Hydrocarbon Refrigerant Blends”. read more Source: hydrocarbons21.com

German subsidy scheme refers to EHPA quality label for innovation bonus on heat pumps.

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:20:00 +0100

All applications for financial support that ask for the innovation bonus must present sufficient proof that the COP of the unit in question reaches a minimum of 4.7. This must be documented by a certificate of an independent third party testing house. Alternatively, the EHPA quality label can be used to document the efficiency of the unit. While the standard subsidy does not require a minimum COP, its efficiency must nevertheless be documented by an independant testing report. Again, the EHPA quality label documentation is sufficient proof. Please find the overview of old and new subsidy structure for heat pumps in the table above. For more information on the EHPA quality label click here. For details contact the German Heat Pump Association(BWP) or the Website of the German Federal Agency for Export Control (BAFA).

Save the date: 10th IEA heat pump conference in Tokyo, Japan: 16.5.-19.5.2011

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:11:00 +0100

If you want to participate as an author, please note that abstracts (200 - 300 words) should be submitted through the conference website, by 30 June 2010.
The abstracts will be screened by an appropriate Regional Coordinator and authors will be advised of acceptance by 31 August 2010. Full papers will be required by 31 January 2011.

'The State of Renewable Energies in Europe' published

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Included as well in ‘The State of Renewable Energies in Europe’ is a chapter on socio-economic indicators (employment, turnover) for most technologies in a selection of Member States (pages 96 - 135). The publication concludes with seven country case studies, where specific regions are particularly strong in renewable energy industry: this regards regions in Italy, Luxembourg, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden and Slovakia (pages 136-163). Click here to find a press release. The publication is available for free download at : http://www.eurobserv-er.org/pdf/bilan9.asp (168 pages, French/English language, 6.6 MB) If you require a more thorough insight into heat pump technology, have a look at EurObserv'ER's report on heat pump technology which also relies on EHPA statistics. Click here for full version (20 pages, French/English language).

What level of support for heat pumps in the UK?

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:30:00 +0100

The following levels of tariffs have been proposed on the basis that they pay an investment return of 12% for the case of heat pumps:

Ground source heat pumps:

Small installations (Up to 45 kW): 7 pence/kW

Medium Installations (45 - 350 kW): 5.5 pence/kW

Large installations (350 kW and above): 1.5 pence/kWh

Air source heat pumps:

Small installations (Up to 45 kW): 7.5 pence/kWh

Medium Installations (45 - 350 kW): 5.5 pence/kWh read more Source: ammonia21.com

EU Sustainable Energy Week with EHPA participation

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:08:00 +0100

The EU Sustainable Energy Week is one of the largest events on sustainable issues in Europe. EUSEW 2009 compriesed of 149 events in Brussels and outside with over 30,000 participants. EHPA is participating in the week for the 4th time and is offering two sessions (2009: 1 session) related to heat pumps. Session 1 is called "Future cities = heat pump cities"and provides an overview of the technology, application examples, heat pump benefits as well as obstacles to a wider use. This session is part of the dissemination activities of the IEE project SEPEMO build. The session is open to the interested public. Session 2 is called "A strategic research agenda for heat pumps" and brings together stakeholders from research and development. This session is open to interested stakeholders. Registration is necessary for both sessions. Please see the EUSEW website for details!

Ochsner corporation receivs Austrian Government award for innovative product development

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:26:00 +0100

Ochsner Corporation, Haag, Austria, represented by Mr. Karl Ochsner jr., was awarded the Austrian government award in a ceremony held on 4.2.2010. The price was awarded for the development of the highly efficienct Millenium-line of air-water products. The jury commented its decision as follows: "This project especially focuses on enabling heat pump technology to enter the market of providing domestic heating from renewable energy sources in refurbished buildings. This innovation represents a milestone in the development of this technology and therefore sets a further step towards securing Austrian technology leadership. The company is highly export-oriented and provides green jobs in an innovative and future-proof technology division." The EHPA congratulates the team of Ochsner corporation to this great success. A brochure presenting all awarded companies and products is available for download (Text in German and English).

Global Business Directory for the HC community goes live

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:00:00 +0100

However, the hydrocarbons21.com global directory is far from being exhaustive at this point in time. With the support from organisations active in the HVAC&R industry, we are confident to rapidly increase this number over the coming weeks and months. read more Source: hydrocarbons21.com

Implementing the EU Buildings Directive in different countries

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:28:00 +0100

A survey on the impact of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) on national regulations, compliance and control on energy performance requirements and certification systems approach in 12 EU Member States (Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Greece, Belgium, Denmark, France and Germany) has been carried out, as part of the project “ASIEPI”. The project is funded by the European Community’s Intelligent Energy Europe programme. read more Source: ammonia21.com

Denmark sets strong incentive for heat pump take-up

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:01:00 +0100

The scrappage scheme is expected to result in the replacement of between 20,000 and 40,000 oil burners out of an estimated total of 150,000 in need for replacement currently installed in Denmark.

Eligible technologies include heat pumps and solar technology, among others. Grant levels for heat pumps will depend on the type of heat pump and dwelling:

Ground source heat pumps in individual housing: DKK 20,000 (about €2700)
Air-water heat pumps in individual housing: DKK 15,000 (about €2000)
Ground source heat pumps in multi-family housing: 25% of investment costs, not exceeding DKK 10,000 (about €1350) per dwelling unit
Air-water heat pumps in multi-family housing: 25% of investment costs, not exceeding DKK 10,000 (about €1350) per dwelling unit

European Commission publishes RES forecast documents on its new transparency platform

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:39:00 +0100

This transparency platform has been established on the website of DG Energy and will make the following documents available:

the Commission's template for the national renewable energy action plans,
the national action plans themselves (due by 30 June 2010)
Member States' forecasts of expected transfers of shares of renewable energy
Member States offers and requests for statistical transfers/joint projects and the details of those exchanges that occur
Member States' progress reports (first due by December 2011)
The Commission's progress reports (first due by December 2012).

Heat pumps move into the automotive sector

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:43:00 +0100

Audi explicitely mentions the heat pump as a 'revolutionary detail' along the lines with the drive system, the power electronics and the battery (wich an innovative thermal management to increase durability). With the increasing market for electric cars expected to increase, the heat pump is ready to be used in yet another mass market. Find the press release here.

EHPA at general assembly of ETP renewable heating and cooling (23./24.2.2010, Bilbao, Spain)

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:37:00 +0100

The EHPA will participate at the General assembly and conference of the European Technology Platform Renewable Heating & Cooling (ETP RHC) which takes place on 23./24.2.2010 in Bilbao, Spain. The meeting is open to all interested parties and will provide an overview of the work already accomplished in the platforms panels (Biomass, Geothermal, Solarthermal, Cross cutting technologies, such as heat pumps, storage and district heating). EHPA will host a panel on: hybrid systems including heat pumps to make full use of the available renewable technologies. Please find more details on the platform via its homepage!

UK government launches boiler scrapping scheme

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:24:00 +0100

The previously announced boiler scrapping scheme was finally launched yesterday (5.1.2010). It makes 50 million british pound available to replace old boilers with new more efficient ones or with heatings systems using renewable energy, such as heat pumps. G-rated (or worse) boilers can be replaced by the following eligible technologies:

A-rated or equivalent gas, oil or LPG boilers,
Boilers with a passive flue heat recovery device
Micro-CHP units
Biomass boilers with MCS registration (for MCS scheme see here)
Heat pumps
solar thermal units in combination with boiler replacement.

£ 400 of assistance is paid for any of these replacements. With £50 mio. available, this allows for 125.000 houses to be renovated. Heat pumps can end up with up to £1,600 of assistance, as they are eligible for support from the Boiler scrapping scheme and the Low carbon buildings programme. The Low carbon buildings program offers £900 for air source heat pumps and £1,200 for ground source units. Consequently the replacement of a G-rated (or worse) boilers with an air-source heat pump results in £1,300 of support, the replacement with a ground-coupled heat pump amounts to £1,600. Details on the boiler scrapping scheme can be found in this link.

Season's Greetings

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:51:00 +0100

EHPA newsletter published

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:39:00 +0100

Just before the holidays, the EHPA fall newsletter was finished. The focus is on efficiency. The newsletter includes (list not exclusive):

experience from heat pump testing
country reports
latest news from the Fraunhofer survey on heat pump system efficiency,
a short history of the DACH/EHPA quality label
an overview of the SEPEMO project.

You can find the newsletter as PDF-download in the publications section.

AREA position paper on RES Directive

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:04:00 +0100

The RES Directive offers an enormous opportunity for carbon savings across Europe. An essential component of this effort is the correct installation of reliable heat pumps. The member companies of AREA’s national associations are in the best position to ensure that the Directive achieves its aims for heat pumps and wish to assist their countries to comply as fully as possible. The recommendations of the position paper form the first step in this industry’s contribution to that intent. Click here to read the full position paper.

Belgium joins the EHPA quality label program

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:09:00 +0100

More information on the quality label can be found at the website of the program. The program is open to all European countries and more participants are welcome.

EHPA at COP-15 conference

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:21:00 +0100

On request of several members, EHPA will be present at the COP-15 conference in Copenhagen. Part of our activities is an editorial to RTCC's book summarising significant steps towards fighting climate change. The document as a whole will be distributed at the conference, the EHPA contribution - as well as all others - can be found online here. If you are in Copenhagen and consider to set up a meeting, sent a mail to info@ehpa.org.

Commission and Swedish Presidency sign EU's accession to IRENA

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0100

IRENA is intended to become a global agency dealing exclusively with renewable energies such as solar, wind or biomass. The objective is to create a centre of excellence for renewable energy, advising governments on drawing up national programmes for the introduction of these sources, dissemination of information about renewable technologies and implement training activities and advice on best practice and financing options. read more Source: European Commission

EPBD revision passed!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:46:00 +0100

The main points where: - the Directive now applies to all buildings (no 1000m2 threshold any more) - the target now are "near zero energy buildings" to become the standard in all new buildings by 2020 (which contradicts a little the message from the German minister for Buildings, who declared this the building standard of today in his government inauguration speech (see EHPA news section). - for existing buildings, Member States are asked to draw up national plans to increase the number of nearly zero energy buildings - a buildings energy performance certificate is foreseen to provide information to new tenants or buyers - the certificate will provide an energy performance indicator of the building
Click here for the press release

Germanies new minister for building declares passive house as "standard technology"

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:25:00 +0100

In a speech as part of the initial declaration of the new German government on 9.11.2009, Dr. Peter...

Sweden takes over presidency of EUEB

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:16:00 +0100

Apart from arranging meetings in Brussels, Ecolabelling Sweden also hosted a Presidency Meeting on October 12-13th in Sigtuna, outside Stockholm. Approximately 20 of the 27 member countries participated in the meeting and discussed new methods of working with the EU Ecolabel. Source: Ecolabelling Sweden

EHPA vice-chair Brigitte Bach voted "Austrian of the year"

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:10:00 +0100

The price is awarded for the categories "Creativity", "Research", "Business", "Culturemanagement" and "Humanities". Brigitte Bach received the award in the Category "Research". The EHPA congratulates her to this achievement! You can find the offical press release following this link.

Order information for EHPA heat pump statistics - Outlook 2009

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:42:00 +0100

The package includes:
- 5 paper copies of the Outlook 2009 (68 pages, full color)
- 1 electronic copy of the Outlook 2009 in PDF format For more information (summary, index of contents, order form) click here.

European Technology Platform for renewable heating and cooling online

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:58:00 +0100

Four Technology Panels, Solar thermal, Biomass, Geothermal and Cross Cutting, are integrated into one platform. You find information on the structure or the platform, its background, main goals and its members. The main outcomes, like print documents, press releases etc. will be available here soon. Link to the website

METI initiates research on next generation heat pumps

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:18:00 +0200

Beginning in 2011, a working group intends to conduct practical tests on model systems, with subsidies and other assistance to be made available for new technology research. Doubling current heat pump efficiency by 2050 as well as halving installation costs are the goals for new technology development. read more Source: JARN

EurObserv'ER releases first Barometer dedicated to heat pumps

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:48:00 +0200

In addition, information on aerothermal heat pumps markets is also provided, as the new European Directive (2009/28/EC) reintroduces this type of system into the renewable energy definition. Topics in the newly released Heat Pump Barometer are:

Statistical data on ground source heat pumps
Definitions according to the European renewable energies directive
Renewable energy policy and selected country reviews
Industry news
Outlook to 2010

Read the complete press release. Free download of the Heat Pump Barometer at http://www.eurobserv-er.org/downloads.asp
(PDF, 20 pages, English/French language, 3 MB)

AHRI launches study on low-GWP refrigerants

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0200

The focus of the study will be to identify regulatory barriers and issues that may impact the use of low-GWP refrigerants such as carbon dioxide, ammonia, hydrocarbons, newly developed hydro-fluoro-olefins like HFO-1234yf and other emerging low-GWP refrigerants. The study, which will update and augment a similar study conducted in the mid-1990s that assessed how regulations and standards have addressed requirements for use of new refrigerants and evolving safety classifications, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2009. The report will be posted on the AHRI website, once it has been reviewed and approved for publication by the ARTI Steering Committee. Source: R744.com