Fraunhofer IIS/EAS in Dresden: Solutions to reduce the energy consumption of heat generators in buildings

The Automation and Control Technology research group at Fraunhofer IIS/EAS in Dresden is working on the efficient and time-optimised use of modern heat generators in buildings, among other things. The following topics are currently being researched:

• Adaptation of modern heat generators to dynamic tariffs
• Intelligent management of sources and sinks in buildings such as PV, solar and buffer storage, etc.
• Proof of efficiency of modern heat generator systems on the test bench
• Testing new refrigerants in heat pumps in climate test cells
• Individual climatic tests of components

In the current SHANGO (Smart Heating System Optimization) research project, a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test stand has been put into operation, which can set return temperatures and volumes for individual heating circuits, among other things. This results in a large number of single and multi-family homes whose properties can be imprinted on the test bench. The project focuses in particular on real fault cases of heat pumps (HP) and gas-HP hybrid systems from field data, the occurrence and efficiency losses of which are recorded in the project. This data enables faster detection and reaction to such efficiency losses. In this context, a climate chamber was integrated into the HIL test bench in order to be able to expose the HP outdoor units to the climatic conditions of various type test days.

The ACS climatic test cell WZH16 SP is a walk-in system. The test specimens are automatically exposed to the specified test conditions, controlled by the HIL test stand with the corresponding climatic conditions of different type test days.

For example, tests in accordance with the standard DIN EN14511 "Heat pumps and air conditioning units" (analogue to EN16147, ISO13256 and ISO15927) can also be fulfilled in the temperature range between -30 and +80°C.

This also includes the control of the relative humidity in the extended range, which is achieved by additional measures in humidification and dehumidification.

With the integrated software for controlling and monitoring the climate parameters, it is also possible to operate the system parameters on mobile and stationary devices.

A wireless connection via the integrated WLAN also enables operation via tablets and smartphones for separate individual measurements in the chamber.

For more info on the SHANGO project click here.