Evaluation of a heat pump system for greenhouse heating

• Published in: International journal of thermal sciences Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 202 - 208
• Main Authors: Aye, Lu, Fuller, R.J., Canal, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Masson SAS 2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Devices using thermal energy; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Greenhouse gas emissions; Greenhouse heating; Heat exchangers (included heat transformers, condensers, cooling towers); Heat pump; Heat pumps; Miscellaneous; Natural energy; Solar energy; Australia; Oceania; Australia, Victoria, Melbourne; Greenhouse heating; Greenhouse gas emissions; Heat pump; Energy; Heating; Air to water heat pump; Payback period; Greenhouse; Cost lowering
• ISSN: 1290-0729; 1778-4166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2009.07.002

Greenhouse heating costs for some commercial growers in southern Australia are now a significant production cost. This is particularly the case for those operators who installed heating systems using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) when this fuel was relatively inexpensive. Heat pump systems used in various configurations have been suggested as an option for reducing energy use and costs for greenhouse heating, particularly if off-peak electricity is used. This paper investigates the financial and environmental viability of an air-to-water heat pump system for a 4000
m
2 greenhouse, located 120
km north of Melbourne, Victoria. The simulation software, TRNSYS, was used to predict the performance of the system. The heat pump system was found to have a simple payback period of approximately six years and reduce LPG consumption by 16%. Greenhouse gas emissions were 3% higher using the heat pump system, compared to the existing LPG boiler.