BE1025410A1 - HEATING INSTALLATION - Google Patents

Abstract

Thermal energy production plant for a user heating circuit, comprising means for connection to an electrical network; a device for cogenerating electrical energy and thermal energy from a primary energy; and a heat pump of the electric type capable of being supplied with electricity by the cogeneration device or by the electrical network; a thermal energy storage system produced by the cogeneration device and / or said heat pump so that said energy storage system is adapted to be coupled to a user heating circuit so as to heat a heat transfer fluid of said user circuit. A control unit is configured to perform the installation in predefined operating modes according to a status information of the electrical network.

Description

BE2017 / 5517

Heating installation

Technical area

The present invention generally relates to the field of thermal energy production installations (or heating installation) in particular for relatively large buildings.

State of the art

Energy demand is increasing and proportional to the increase in population demonstrating critically that the production of energy using fossil materials cannot constitute a sustainable solution. In the interest of energy transition, new so-called green energies are developing.

Green energy production systems are interesting because their source of energy is sustainable. However, this source of energy is difficult to control when it is entirely dependent on environmental conditions. For example, wind energy is only produced in the presence of variable wind depending on the time of year. In the same way, photovoltaic energy depends on the sun and can only be produced during the day.

The lack of control of the energy source and therefore of the quantity of energy produced also causes phases of energy overproduction. This phenomenon seems more remarkable in the areas that produce photovoltaic energy. The production is then such that an overvoltage is created on the network. This overvoltage causes the inverters and therefore production to lock up. This phenomenon can also cause damage to electrical devices located in over-equipped streets and which are at times supplied with more than 20V higher than the standard.

The operation of conventional power plants from fossil fuels therefore remains necessary in order to compensate for the moments of non-production of these green energies. The problem with conventional power plants is

BE2017 / 5517 their efficiency: in fact, only the electrical energy produced is used while the thermal energy produced, which represents two thirds of production, is released into the environment.

Energy production networks now combine conventional and green production at the same time, so as to optimize electricity production.

However, for a constant demand for electricity for example, the corresponding production is periodically excessive or loss-making. Generally, electricity producers apply prices which depend on the quantity of energy produced in relation to demand. The price of electricity is higher in the event of underproduction and low or negative in the event of overproduction.

For homeowners who use this electrical energy for heating, energy efficiency remains their main concern. Indeed, if they are not able to intervene on the price of electricity, they are generally owners of their thermal energy production installation, or heating system, such as for example their boiler.

The disadvantages of a mode of production of thermal energy can be offset by the combination of several different modes, for example by combining the heating of domestic water or of the heating circuit by solar energy with the production of thermal energy by a oil, natural gas or wood boiler.

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a thermal energy production installation combining several heat sources and allowing better regulation of energy production problems, in particular by minimizing losses in the environment.

BE2017 / 5517

General description of the invention

With this objective in mind, the present invention proposes an installation for producing thermal energy for a user heating circuit, comprising:

means for connection to an electrical network;

a device for cogeneration of electrical energy and thermal energy from primary energy; and an electric type heat pump capable of being supplied with electricity by the cogeneration device or by the electrical network;

a thermal energy storage system produced by the cogeneration device and / or said heat pump so, said energy storage system being able to be coupled to a user heating circuit so as to heat a heat transfer fluid of said user circuit.

a control unit is configured to operate the installation in predefined operating modes according to information on the state of the electrical network, including:

a first mode, activated when the state information indicates that the state of the network is nominal, in which the cogeneration device and said heat pump are in production, said heat pump being supplied by the electricity produced by the cogeneration system;

- a second mode, activated when the state information indicates that the electrical network is in overproduction, in which said heat pump is supplied with electricity from the electrical network; and

- a third mode, activated when the status information indicates that the electrical network is under-producing, in which said cogeneration device is in production, (at least part of) the electrical energy produced by the latter being transferred to the power grid.

The invention therefore provides an installation for producing thermal energy, or more simply "heating installation", operating an energy storage system coupled with two means of supplying heat, that is to say. the

BE2017 / 5517 cogeneration device and heat pump, which will be used individually or in combination.

A remarkable aspect of the present installation is that its operating mode is dependent on the state of the local electrical network (a public or private network). The first operating mode is operated when the electrical network is in a nominal or normal state: the electrical production of the cogenerator provides the electrical supply necessary for the operation of the heat pump. In this first mode, the installation is therefore autonomous for its electricity needs.

The second mode takes advantage of the overcapacity conditions of the electrical network. The cost of purchasing electricity will be very low, if not negative. It is thus possible to operate the installation by putting only the heat pump into production, for a very low operating cost, or even a gain.

In the third mode, the installation is carried out by heating the storage system by means of the cogeneration device. The electricity produced by the cogenerator is injected into the electrical network, which is in undercapacity, allowing the operator of the installation a financial return while heating his building.

The thermal energy storage system allows the heat produced by the heat sources to be accumulated and returned to the user network. Any thermal energy storage technology can be used in the context of the invention, but will have to do with the efficiency of the installation.

Advantageously, energy is stored in a material by taking advantage of its phase or state changes, that is to say its transitions between the gaseous, liquid and solid states.

As we know, the physical principle used in this case is heat transfer by Latent Heat. The material stores or transfers energy by simple change of state, while maintaining a constant temperature, that of the change of state.

BE2017 / 5517

For industrial implementation reasons, MCPs with a solid / liquid state change will be preferred. In the case of storage in such a MCP, it is the enthalpy of change of solid / liquid state which is valued. This energy, which is absorbed during fusion and released during solidification, results from the establishment, or rupture, of interatomic or intermolecular bonds. This change of state is accompanied by a change in volume. For a pure body, it is done at constant temperature.

The quantity used to quantify the Latent Heat exchanged by a material is the Latent Heat of Phase Change usually noted Lf for a Liquid / Solid phase change, and expressed in J / kg. The potential for energy storage by Latent Heat is significantly higher than by Sensible Heat (storage by temperature change, characterized by the specific heat usually denoted Cp and expressed in J / (kg.K)).

In practice, the charge of the storage system will be accompanied by the fusion of the MCP, while the discharge is carried out by the solidification of the said MCP. The material is chosen according to the target temperature of the storage system, so that its melting temperature is within the desired temperature range of use.

All types of suitable MCP (in particular with regard to melting temperatures, thermal conductivity, ease of implementation), or combinations of MCP, can be used in the storage system. The latter can also take any desired form. In general, the storage system may include a closed container containing the MCP (or mixture of MCP) and crossed by pipes or coils transporting heat transfer fluids, thus forming a heat exchanger. Typically, the container accommodates a coil associated with each heat source, and a coil the heating circuit associated with the user heating circuit.

The use of MCP makes it possible to significantly shift the availability of heat over time. We can produce heat at a time t and restore it several hours later.

BE2017 / 5517

According to the embodiments, the invention can include one or more of the following characteristics:

the phase change material has a liquid / solid transition located between 50 ° and 80 ° C, preferably between 55 and 65 ° C,

- the storage system includes a tank comprising three coils bathing in the PCM: a first coil is connected to a heat transfer circuit associated with the cogenerator; a second coil is connected to a heat transfer circuit associated with the heat pump; and a third coil connected to the user heating circuit,

- an auxiliary boiler to supply heat to the user heating circuit.

According to the embodiments, in the second operating mode the cogeneration device is stopped, and / or in the third operating mode the heat pump is stopped.

The invention also relates to a system comprising a heating installation as described herein, and an electrical network connected to the connection means of the installation, in which the electrical network comprises photovoltaic or wind power generation units.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method of operating a thermal energy production installation for a user heating circuit, said installation being connected to an electrical network and comprising a device for cogeneration of electrical energy and d thermal energy from primary energy; an electric type heat pump; and a thermal energy storage system produced by the cogeneration device and / or said heat pump, said energy storage system being coupled to a user heating circuit so as to heat a heat transfer fluid from said user circuit; in which method the installation is operated according to one of the following operating modes, as a function of information on the state of the electrical network:

a first mode, when the state information indicates that the state of the electrical network is nominal, in which the cogeneration device and said pump

BE2017 / 5517 heat are in production, said heat pump being supplied by the electricity produced by the cogeneration device;

a second mode, when the state information indicates that the electrical network is in overproduction, in which said heat pump is supplied with electricity from the electrical network; and a third mode, activated when the state information indicates that the electrical network is in under production, in which said cogeneration device is in production, and the electrical energy produced by said cogeneration device to the electrical network.

Detailed description using the figures

Other features and characteristics of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of at least one advantageous embodiment presented below, by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

Figure 1: a block diagram of an installation for producing thermal energy according to an embodiment of the invention in its environment; and

Figure 2: a perspective diagram of an embodiment of the storage system of the installation of Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1, a variant of the present thermal energy production installation 10 is associated with a building 12 to be heated.

The reference sign 14 designates an electrical network capable of supplying an electrical current to the installation 10 for its operation. It is an electrical network that can be public or private; it typically ensures the distribution of electricity also at building 12 and the surrounding buildings. The electricity distributed by network 14 can be produced in fossil or nuclear power plants, near or far, and / or in so-called green energy production facilities. In this context, being the part of an electrical network that provides distribution to subscribers, we generally speak of an electrical distribution network.

BE2017 / 5517

In Figure 1, the electrical network 14 therefore constitutes a distribution network of electricity produced remotely (routed by high-voltage lines) but also produced locally, for example in a photovoltaic energy production unit symbolized by panels solar 16, and in a wind energy production system symbolized by a wind turbine 18. As described above, these green installations have a production of electricity which depends on environmental conditions. In normal times, electricity production is sufficient to meet the needs of buildings connected to the network. However, it regularly happens that production is in surplus or deficit compared to the instantaneous need of buildings which are connected to the electricity network 14.

As will be better understood below, the present thermal energy production installation 10, or more simply heating installation 10, is connected to the electrical network 14 in order, according to the operating modes, to consume electricity from the electrical network. 14, or inject electricity to it.

The installation 10 comprises a cogeneration device 20, which will also be called cogenerator 20, which produces electrical and thermal energy from a primary energy, for example natural gas or fuel oil; and an electric heat pump 22 (PAC). These two heat sources are provided to provide heat to a thermal energy storage system 24 coupled to a user heating circuit 26 of the building 14. A control unit 28 manages the operation of the installation. The reference sign 29 designates an electrical box by which the installation 10 is connected to the electrical network 14, via one or more electrical lines 19 (or any suitable means).

In the variant, the cogenerator 20 conventionally comprises a gas engine coupled to a heat recuperator supplied by the exhaust gases from the engine. Any suitable type of cogenerator can be used.

The heat pump 22 is able to be supplied, for its operation, with electricity by the cogeneration device 20 or the electrical network 14. The heat pump 22 is preferably of the air / water aerothermal type and comprises a

BE2017 / 5517 electric compressor (for the heat transfer fluid of the heat pump). Any suitable type of PAC can be used.

The thermal storage system 24 is advantageously designed as a phase change material (MCP) accumulator. Here taking the form of a balloon, the storage system 24 is designed to store the thermal energy produced alternately or simultaneously by the cogenerator 20 and by the heat pump 22. The balloon 24 contains one or more MCPs, preferably with solid transition /liquid.

The control unit 28 is configured to operate the installation 10 in predefined operating modes. The selection of the operating mode is done at the level of the control unit 28 as a function of state information of the electrical network 14. Here there are three predefined operating modes.

In a first mode of operation, the cogenerator 20 and the heat pump 22 are in production. This first operating mode is activated when the status information indicates that the network status is nominal. The generator produces on the one hand heat which is supplied to the balloon 24 via a first thermal circuit 30 with heat transfer fluid, and on the other hand electricity. The electricity produced by the cogenerator 20 is transferred to the heat pump 22 via a first electrical circuit 32, which allows the production of heat by the heat pump. The heat produced by the heat pump 22 is supplied to the tank 24 via a second thermal circuit 34.

A second mode is activated when the state information indicates that the electrical network 14 is over-producing electricity. In the second mode, the heat pump 22 is supplied with electricity from the electrical network 14 via a second electrical circuit 35 and produces heat which is transmitted to the balloon 24 via the second thermal circuit 34 with heat transfer fluid. Cogenerator 20 is not normally used.

A third mode is activated when the state information indicates that the electrical network 14 is under-producing. In this third operating mode, the cogeneration device 20 is in production: the heat produced is supplied to the balloon 24 via the first circuit 30 and at least one

BE2017 / 5517 part of the electrical energy produced is transferred to the electrical network 14 via a third electrical circuit 36.

The first, second and third electrical circuits will not be detailed here. Those skilled in the art will understand that any suitable electrical circuit can be used.

By nominal state, we mean a normal operating state of the network, capable of supplying the requested energy, as opposed to a state of underproduction (linked to a high demand or a production deficit of green installations) or to a state overproduction (linked to an excess of production, especially in the green installations of the electricity network). These so-called "nominal", "overproduction" or "underproduction" states are determined by the operator of the electrical network 14 and are made available by the latter.

The control unit 28 receives this status information from the network by any suitable means: it can be transmitted by the electrical network itself, by information networks (internet or other) or determined by a characteristic of the network ( voltage measurement or other).

As shown in Figure 1, the different elements of the installation, i.e. the cogenerator 20, the thermal energy storage system 24, and the heat pump 22 can be installed in a common room or placed in a container so as to form a heating module 37 (symbolized by the dotted rectangle).

The control unit 28 is here mounted in the heating module 37 and connected by wired or wireless connection (not shown) to each of the elements for their control, in particular for implementing the cogenerator 20 and / or the heat pump. 22 depending on the active operating mode. The unit 28, preferably of the microprocessor type, comprises is connected to the internet, in particular to receive information on the state of the electrical network 14 and possibly to take control remotely. The unit 28 preferably includes a GSM module which allows remote communication when the default internet connection is down.

BE2017 / 5517

Alternatively, the unit 28 can be placed outside the module 37, and possibly associated with a relay (not shown) located in the module 37, with which it communicates by modbus or GSM type connection.

Regarding the first and second thermal circuits 30, 34, they typically each include an expansion tank, a circulation pump and control valves (not shown). The heat transfer fluid may be water or any other suitable fluid.

The storage system 24 typically comprises an open circuit loop 38, to which the user heating circuit 26, here of the building 12, is connected. The connection point between the circuits 26 and 38 is indicated by the line 33 in the figure . In the storage system 24, the stored heat is transferred to the heat transfer fluid circulating in the loop 38.

The regulation of the temperature of the storage system is carried out by the control unit 28 which will put into production the heat sources 20 or 22 in accordance with the operating modes. One or more temperature sensors (not shown) are placed in the storage system and connected to the control unit 28.

The cogenerator 20 and the heat pump 22 are typically dimensioned so as to be able to deliver a predefined thermal power. A module 37 is therefore designed for a given heating power. To vary the heating power, it is possible to modify the capacity of the cogenerator 20 or of the heat pump 22, or to multiply these. Alternatively, the heating power can be increased by combining several modules.

However, it should be noted that in the same module, the cogenerator is advantageously sized to produce (at least) the electrical energy required for the operation of the heat pump. Thus the cogenerator 20 and PAC 22 can operate autonomously to produce the thermal energy necessary for heating the building. In addition, the cogenerator assembly 20 and PAC 22 does not then depend on the electrical network 14.

The dimensioning of module 37 is done, for example, in two versions depending on the type of building or the need for thermal energy: a small module, and a

BE2017 / 5517 large module. The small module comprising elements of lower power than the large module. On the other hand, in order to simplify the installation and manufacturing method, the external dimensions of the modules are identical, with for example a footprint of approximately 4.5m by 2m.

For example, the small module includes a cogenerator with a power of 9 kWh electric and 20 kWh thermal associated with a heat pump of 24 kWh thermal, while the large module comprises a cogenerator with a power of 20 kWh electric and 44 kWh thermal associated with a 48 kWh heat pump.

As indicated above, several modules can be used on the same site.

Advantageously, provision can be made for an auxiliary boiler 40 with primary energy, for example. gas, fuel or wood. The backup boiler 40 is put into production in the event of a lack of thermal power from the module 37, in very cold conditions. The circuit of the boiler 42 is connected in parallel to the circuit loop 38 at the outlet of the tank. The boiler 40 therefore directly heats part of the heat transfer fluid of the user circuit 26. The boiler circuit 42 includes an expansion tank, a circulation pump and shut-off valves (not shown) to cut circulation when the boiler 40 is not in production.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the thermal energy storage tank 24, which forms a heat exchanger. The balloon 24 includes a support 44 for its installation and its maintenance in position in the module 37 and a closed cylindrical container 46 of metal, called a shell. The volume of the balloon 24 is defined in relation to the need for thermal storage. For the small and large modules mentioned above, the tank can have a volume of 1000 to 1200 L, for example 1140 L.

Inside the shell 46, the balloon 24 comprises three windings of serpentine pipes 48, 50 and 52 which each communicate with a thermal circuit

BE2017 / 5517 respective, and therefore constitute portions of these circuits evolving in the balloon 24.

These three serpentine windings form concentric cylinders substantially over the entire height of the shell 46 of the balloon 24 and are immersed in the MCP. The coils are traversed by the heat transfer liquid of the respective thermal energy transfer circuits. In particular, the first circuit 30 is connected to the external coil 48, called a cogenerator, having the largest diameter winding in the balloon 24. The co-generator coil 48 receives at its input the heat transfer fluid heated by the cogenerator 20, which transfers heat to the MCP, and sends the cooled heat transfer fluid back to the cogenerator 20.

The heating coil 50 is connected to the heating circuit. The heating coil 50 receives at its inlet the cooled liquid coming from the building 12 and returns from its outlet the heated liquid to the building 12.

The central coil winding 52 is connected to the second circuit 34. It receives at its inlet heat transfer fluid heated by the heat pump 22, which transfers heat to the MCP, and returns from its outlet the cooled heat transfer fluid to the pump heat 22.

The intermediate heating coil 50 is connected to the heating circuit 26. It receives at its inlet the cooled heat transfer fluid coming from the building 12, which receives heat from the MCP, and returns from its outlet the heated heat transfer fluid to the building 12.

The direction of circulation of the heat-transfer liquid in the windings is indicated by arrows in FIG. 2. It is noted that the liquid in the co-generator 48 and heat pump 52 windings circulates from the top to the bottom of the shell 46, while the liquid in the heating winding 50 circulates in the opposite direction, that is to say from the top to the bottom of the shell 46.

For better heat exchange between the MCP and the fluids circulating in the coils, the latter can be provided on their outer face with metallic fins or foams, in order to increase the exchange surface.

BE2017 / 5517

Inside the shell 46, the coils are fully bathed in the MCP. MCP is a material capable of changing physical state within a limited temperature range. Passing from a solid phase to a liquid phase, the material stores a large amount of energy. When the material passes from its liquid phase to its solid phase, it restores the energy it had stored, in the form of heat.

The shell 46 also has maintenance openings 54 for introducing or removing the MCP from the shell 46.

When the MCP changes phase its volume varies. The shell 46 is preferably filled with MCP at 80-85% of the available volume so as to anticipate a change in volume of the MCP.

The phase change temperature of the MCP is chosen to correspond to the desired temperature of exit of the liquid to the heating circuit 26. Thus when the flask 24 is supplied with heat, the MCP liquefies and stores heat. When the flask 24 is no longer supplied with heat and the liquid which passes through the heating coil 50 cools, the MCP, while cooling below its melting temperature, returns heat and heats the liquid of the heating coil 50.

In the context of the invention, it is possible in particular to use PCM-60 as MCP which has a melting temperature of 60 ° C.

The operation of the installation will now be explained in more detail.

The different operating modes of the installation are triggered by information on the status of the electrical network 14 received by the control unit 28. This information is provided by the network manager who is aware of the installation and who participates in its functioning as a partner. The generation of state information is not part of the scope of the invention.

As explained above, there are three predefined operating modes which correspond to three situations of production of electricity from the network.

BE2017 / 5517

These three operating modes are modes for managing the energy sources inside the installation 10. The operating mode being selected, the control unit will implement the corresponding energy sources according to the request of the user circuit, respectively of the storage system 24. Where appropriate, the control unit may include a heating regulation module in the user building.

In the first mode of operation, the cogenerator 20 and the heat pump 22 operate independently of the network 14. The cogenerator 20 produces electricity which supplies the heat pump 22 via a first electrical circuit 32, and thermal energy which is transferred to the balloon 24 via the first thermal circuit 30. This thermal energy can then be transferred to the heating circuit 26 by a heat exchange between the heating winding 50 and the cogenerator winding 48.

In the first operating mode of the installation 10, the heat pump 20 is also producing thermal energy transferred to the tank 24 via the second thermal circuit 34. In a similar manner to the operation of the cogenerator 20, the thermal energy from the heat pump 22 can be transferred to the heating circuit 26 by an exchange between the heating winding 50 and the heat pump winding 52.

The heat transfer to the heating circuit 26 takes place only if the building 12 is in demand for heat. If the building 12 does not need to be heated, or if its need is less than the transfer capacity of the tank 24, the thermal energy produced in surplus is stored in the MCP as explained above.

In the first operating mode, the installation 10 is not considered to be connected to the network 14.

In the second operating mode of the installation 10, the cogenerator 20 is preferably stopped. The heat pump 22 is supplied with electricity by the network 14 via the second electrical circuit. The installation is then connected to the network and contributes to the electrical consumption thereon. The overvoltage in the network is reduced by adding a new connected device.

BE2017 / 5517

In this mode, the tank 24 is supplied with thermal energy only by the heat pump 22, which is sufficient to ensure the heating of the building.

12.

In the second mode, the installation 10 is connected to the network as a client. As part of the partnership between installation 10 and network 14, the installation purchases the surplus electricity produced by the network. This surplus is generally sold at a negative price and allows the installation to reduce the overall price of the thermal energy it supplies to the building 12.

In the third operating mode, the heat pump 22 is stopped and the cogenerator 20 is put into production. The cogenerator 20 generates electricity which is transferred to the network via the third electrical circuit 36, and thermal energy transferred to the tank 24 via the first thermal circuit 30.

In the third mode, the tank 24 is supplied with thermal energy only by the cogenerator 20 which, as described above, is dimensioned so as to be able to meet the heating requirement of the building 12.

In this operating mode, the installation 10 is connected to the network 14 as an energy supplier. The installation 10 supplies electrical energy to the network 14 so as to reduce the undervoltage on the network. As part of the partnership between the installation and the network, the installation sells its electricity to the network so as to further reduce the overall price of the thermal energy it supplies to the building 12.

It will be noted that the control unit is typically configured to manage the various electrical circuits of the module and operate the electrical box 29, in particular when it comes to injecting the current produced by the installation 10 towards the electrical network 14.

Claims (9)

1. Installation (10) for producing thermal energy for a user heating circuit (26), comprising: means for connection (29) to an electrical network (14); a cogeneration device (20) of electrical energy and thermal energy from primary energy; an electric type heat pump (22) capable of being supplied with electricity by the cogeneration device (20) or by the electric network (14); a storage system (24) of thermal energy produced by the cogeneration device (20) and / or said heat pump (22), said energy storage system (24) being capable of being coupled to a circuit for user heating (26) so as to heat a heat transfer fluid from said user circuit (26); and a control unit (28) configured to operate the installation (10) in predefined operating modes according to status information of the electrical network (14), among which: a first mode, activated when the state information indicates that the state of the electrical network (14) is nominal, in which the cogeneration device (20) and said heat pump (22) are in production, said pump heat (22) being supplied by the electricity produced by the cogeneration device (20); a second mode, activated when the state information indicates that the electrical network (14) is in overproduction, in which said heat pump (22) is supplied with electricity from the electrical network (20); and a third mode, activated when the state information indicates that the electrical network (14) is in under production, in which said cogeneration device (20) is in production, the electrical energy produced by the latter being transferred to the electrical network (14). 2. Installation (10) according to claim 1, wherein the storage system (24) comprises a phase change material, in particular with liquid / solid transition. BE2017 / 5517 3. Installation (10) according to claim 2, wherein the phase change material has a liquid / solid transition located between 50 ° and 80 ° C, preferably between 55 and 65 ° C. 4. Installation (10) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the storage system (24) comprises a balloon comprising three coils (48, 50, 52) immersed in the PCM: - A first coil (48) is connected to a heat transfer circuit (30) associated with the cogenerator (20); - a second coil (50) is connected to a heat transfer circuit (34) associated with the heat pump (22); - a third coil (52) connected to the user heating circuit (26). 5. Installation (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, for which in the second operating mode the cogeneration device (20) is stopped. 6. Installation (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, for which in the third operating mode the heat pump (22) is stopped. 7. Installation (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an auxiliary boiler (40) for supplying heat to the user heating circuit (26). 8. System comprising an installation (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and an electrical network (14) connected to said connection means, in which the electrical network (14) comprises photovoltaic electricity production units (16) or wind turbine (18). 9. Method of operating an installation (10) for producing thermal energy for a user heating circuit (26), said installation being connected to an electrical network (14) and comprising a cogeneration device (20) of electrical energy and thermal energy from primary energy; an electric type heat pump (22); and a storage system (24) of thermal energy produced by the cogeneration device (20) and / or said heat pump (22) said BE2017 / 5517 energy storage (24) being coupled to a user heating circuit (26) so as to heat a heat transfer fluid from said user circuit (26); in which method the installation is operated according to one of the following operating modes, as a function of information on the state of the electrical network (14): a first mode, when the state information indicates that the state of the electrical network (14) is nominal, in which the cogeneration device (20) and said heat pump (22) are in production, said heat pump (22) being supplied with electricity produced by the cogeneration device 10 (20); a second mode, when the state information indicates that the electrical network (14) is in overproduction, in which said heat pump (22) is supplied with electricity from the electrical network (14); and a third mode, activated when the status information indicates that the electrical network (14) is in under production, in which said cogeneration device (20) is in production, and the electrical energy produced is transferred by said cogeneration device (20) to the electrical network (14).