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Large scale CO2 heat pumps combined with thermal energy storage using phase change materials can provide economic solutions to decarbonise large protected cropping projects.
About
Protected cropping usually utilises heating, cooling and dehumidification to maximise the efficiency of the growing process. CO2 heat pumps uniquely provide very hot water production with cooling and dehumidification capabilities, both direct cooling of the growing space, but also for cooling of product and dehumidification of the air (and subsequent re-heat). Further, may products are dried and this drying capability supports more of the food production and processing activity. When these are co-located heat pump efficiencies are driven up. They utilise the circular economy proposition that combined heating and cooling (and thus also dehumidification) can be produced from one energy use. CO2 is a natural refrigerant with negligible GHG emission impacts. Further it electrifies heating for very hot water up to 95oC and thus supports the transition from fossil fuels to green electricity. Large scale CO2 heat pumps can do multiple tasks, often supporting mixed and diverse loads and able to operate as a chiller, freezer, water heater, water cooling, air cooling or heating, or dehumidification - indeed all of the above at any one time if need be. This is a unique capability.
Key Benefits
- reduced GHG emissions from protected cropping - reduced energy usage - transition from fossil fuels to green electricity - large scale heating, cooling and dehumidification from the same system
Applications
- greenhouse production - protected cropping - hot water production - space heating and cooling - product drying - food processing - food production