Sustainable energy systems of the future will rely on two major principles: efficient end-use and efficient use of renewables. In this scenario, the heat pump is a brilliant invention which is beautifully adaptable for a multitude of applications relating to both efficient end-use and renewably supply. The energy source used by a heat pump is renewable energy from ground, air, water and waste heat sources. Heat pumps are an efficient, climate friendly, cost efficient technology with no local emissions which contributes to strengthened energy security.
By adding a small amount of drive energy, a heat pump can move heat from a low temperature to a high temperature. This means that the same piece of equipment can be used to remove heat from a space (cooling) at one end while at the same time adding heat to another space (heating).
For a long time, the most prevalent use of heat pumps is for cooling, e.g. the common household refrigerator or air conditioner, but increasingly heat pumps are also used to upgrade heat to useful heating temperatures. In applications when both heating and cooling are needed this is a win-win situation which virtually doubles the cost-effectiveness of the installation.
Net Zero by 2050 according to IEA
The International Energy Agency (IEA) emphasizes that reducing global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to net zero by 2050 is crucial to limit the long-term increase in average global temperatures to 1.5°. Staying on the path to net zero requires the massive deployment of all available clean energy technologies, such as renewables, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy-efficient building retrofits, including application of heat pumps, between now and 2030. The IEA’s “Net Zero by 2050” report underscores the importance of heat pumps in the transition to a net zero energy system. It states that heat pumps will play a significant role in reducing emissions from buildings and industry by providing efficient heating and cooling solutions. The report calls for a massive scale-up of heat pump deployment, with over 50% of heating demand expected to be met by heat pumps by 2045.
Reduction of Emissions while Demand is Increasing
One challenge is to reduce the CO2 emissions while at the same time there is a growing number of both residential and commercial buildings and an increasing demand for comfort cooling. This challenge can be met by efficient heat pump technology, employing it in a wide range of applications in terms of heating, cooling and air conditioning. Heat pumps are a suitable solution for new and retrofit buildings, to decarbonize industry and district heating and cooling grids. Heat pumps have a large potential in contributing to the reduction of global CO2 emissions, phasing out fossil fuels, improving air quality and contribute to energy security.