Experimental Data of a Small-Size Gas ICE Driven Heat Pump (GHP) and Comparison of the Environmental Performance with an Electric Heat Pump

Worldwide, whenever thermal energy is required one of the most common supply solution is represented by the adoption of an electric heat pump. Nevertheless, other solutions may represent a valid option and the use of a Gas Heat Pump (GHP), based on an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) fed by natural gas, is one of these. The experimental results of the operations of a GHP in a small-size enterprise in central Italy are presented: the test site, with its energy requests and technical constraints is described. Furtherly, a comparison with an electric heat pump is carried out by reproducing its behavior through a 1-D simulation tool developed in the Simulink environment. The advantages that the thermal generator based on the ICE can bring compared to an electric solution from the technical, economic, and environmental point of view are highlighted. In particular the latter aspect is analyzed considering the boundaries of different European Countries, whose energy mix for the electricity production determines different equivalent grid efficiencies. Finally, the main results are summarized in the conclusions, focusing the attention on the main advantages and most critical points which could affect the suitability of the installation of the ICE-based thermal generator instead of an electric heat pump.