HEAT PUMPING USING COMBINED HEAT AND POWER TECHNOLOGY
Since 2001, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) has made a significant shift in focus for development and use of Thermally Activated Heat Pumping Technologies. DOE is working with partners from the heating and cooling industry and the power generation industry to develop Integrate Energy Systems (IES) using advanced thermally driven heat pump technologies for building heating and cooling by recycling otherwise wasted heat from electric generating equipment. Key activities include heat driven lithium-bromide water absorption chillers matched with power generation to make Integrated Energy Systems (IES); ammonia-based residential and light commercial absorption technology for refrigeration, heat pumps and chillers; and advanced "hicool" heat pump technology. Opportunities for further advancements in thermally activated technologies exist, particularly for expanding integration of energy systems through combined cooling, heating and power applications capable of achieving overall energy efficiency approaching or exceeding 80%.