EP4686881A1

EP4686881A1 - Pumping station for hybrid heating or cooling systems, hybrid heating or cooling system and method for managing hybrid heating and/or cooling systems

Info

Publication number: EP4686881A1
Application number: EP25191668.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nicola Francesco RENOFFIO; Bruno Giordano
Original assignee: Giordano Controls SpA
Current assignee: Giordano Controls SpA
Priority date: 2024-08-01
Filing date: 2025-07-24
Publication date: 2026-02-04

Abstract

A pumping station (1) for hybrid heating and/or cooling systems comprising a boiler (80) and/or a heat pump (20), wherein said pumping station (1) is a unit distinct from said boiler (80) and/or heat pump (20), the pumping station comprising a hydraulic separator (7) interposed between a first heating circuit (3) of the boiler (80), a second heating circuit (4) of the heat pump (20) and a third circuit (5). Said station (1) comprises an actuation unit (2) configured to:
receive a control signal (16) containing data relating to the demand for heat or for cooling;
generate a signal (17) for switching on the boiler (80) and/or for switching on the heat pump (20) based on said comparison and based on predefined logics of control and selection of the optimal heat source, so as to be able to activate the boiler (80) or the heat pump (20) or both;
generate a signal (18) for actuating at least one hydraulic pump (11) of the third circuit (5) so as to activate the hydraulic pump (11) when said signal for switching on the boiler (80) and/or the heat pump (20) is generated.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a pumping station for hybrid heating or cooling systems, a hybrid heating or cooling system and a method for managing hybrid heating and/or cooling systems. In particular, the present invention is aimed at the sector of heating and/or cooling of civil or industrial environments in which hybrid systems are applied, such systems preferably comprising a fossil fuel (gas or methane) boiler and a heat pump and/or alternative sources that work together. Preferably, such systems provide for heating water circulating towards a hydraulic system for distributing heat through a combined use of the boiler and the heat pump.

Prior art

There exist various configurations falling within the definition of a hybrid heating or cooling system. One example of the prior art is disclosed in EP3705786B1 .
A first configuration is defined as a "factory-made" or "hybrid system", which is effectively a system that is born already hybrid, wherein all the elements (boiler and heat pump) come from the same manufacturer. This is the best situation in terms of efficiency, because all the elements are developed, sized and designed in an optimal manner by the manufacturer so as to work together and the various devices communicate in the same language and are interfaced with each other.
A second configuration falls within so-called 'hybridisation', which refers to when a heat pump is added to an already installed boiler of the same brand by the same manufacturer. In this case, the two elements (heat pump and boiler) are able to communicate in an intelligent manner and the boiler must have been declared by the manufacturer to be compatible with a specific series of heat pumps. Since such installations are well-suited to many building contexts, hybridisation is considered a very convenient way to upgrade existing heating systems.
However, this second known configuration has limits. In particular, the limits are tied to the fact that it is necessary to install a heat pump (presuming to combine it with an already installed boiler) which is of the same brand and compatible with the boiler. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to meet this condition, since the subsequent installations normally take place some time after the first installation, and thus the compatibility between the two components is often no longer possible, also because of the technological evolution affecting the models on the market.
Then there is a third known configuration that includes so-called package systems and systems with a heat pump as an additional (add-on) component, wherein, in both cases, the heat pump and the boiler come from two different brands and manufacturers but are installed together. In this case, the responsibility for correctly combining the two technologies (in terms of sizing and control) for the system's performance falls on the installer. There is also the risk that the two technologies will not work together correctly and might not provide the desired energy improvement. Moreover, if the existing boiler is a boiler with standard efficiency (as opposed to a condensing boiler), it will continue to operate with low efficiency; therefore, the results in terms of reducing carbon emissions and energy savings will probably be inferior compared to any other situation.

Objects of the present invention

In this context, the present invention aims to resolve the abovementioned drawbacks in relation to the second and third known configurations.
In particular, the present invention has the object of providing the market and installers with an "after-market" pumping station which enables an easy integration between components belonging to different brands and/or different manufacturers without there being any need to reconfigure the components themselves.
In detail, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pumping station that is capable of optimising the operation and efficiency of hybrid systems, in particular ones falling within the definitions of "package system" and "add on", i.e. cases in which the integration between the heat pump and boiler and any other additional components such as solar thermal, photovoltaic, and electric heating devices is under the responsibility of installers, who will thus have at their disposal a technology for putting into service hybrid systems without obliging users to make any substantial modification to their own installation or replace components, thus reducing the investment and favouring the action of the energy transition.
The stated objects are substantially achieved by a pumping station for hybrid heating or cooling systems, a hybrid heating or cooling system and a method for managing hybrid heating and/or cooling systems according to what is described in the appended claims.

Brief description of the figures

Additional features and the advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a pumping station for hybrid heating or cooling systems and a hybrid heating or cooling system illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows, in a schematic view, a pumping station for hybrid heating or cooling systems, according to the present invention, with the associated external hydraulic connections; and
figure 2 shows, in a schematic view, a hybrid heating or cooling system, comprising said pumping station, according to the present invention, with the associated electrical and hydraulic connections.

Detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention

With reference to the aforesaid figures, a pumping station for hybrid heating or cooling systems 100 according to the present invention is denoted in its entirety by the reference number 1.
In particular, as already mentioned above, the pumping station 1 is configured to be able to be connected also following a previous installation of a boiler 80 and a heat pump 20 and, in particular, in the event that the latter are of different brands and made by different manufacturers (i.e. they are not configured to communicate with each other by means of a same communication language).
Hereinafter, reference will be made to "boiler" to indicate any appliance that heats a liquid or fluid by means of fossil fuels (gas, methane, ...). Therefore, the present invention is understood to extend to any appliance configured to produce such heating.
Similarly, the term "heat pump" means any appliance capable of extracting and transferring thermal energy through the use of electricity. Various types of heat pump exist; air-to-water heat pumps are preferred for the present invention.
The pumping station 1 comprises a hydraulic part and an actuation unit 2 which can be mounted inside the hydraulic part or can be separate from the latter.
The pumping station 1 comprises a container, inserted inside which there is a plurality of hydraulic circuits defining inlets and outlets connectable to the outside, including at least:

a first heating circuit 3 for supplying hot water, configured to be able to be connected to an external boiler 80;
a second heating circuit 4 for supplying hot or cold water, configured to be able to be connected to an external heat pump 20;
a third circuit 5 configured to convey hot or cold water towards the outside and connectable to a radiator system 6 (underfloor heating, radiators, ...) and/or domestic water heating system.

It is noted that the term "circuit" above indicates the portions of respective circuits that extend inside the pumping station 1 itself and are intended to be connected with external water circuits originating from the outside (boiler 80, heat pump 20, ...).
Furthermore, the pumping station 1 comprises a hydraulic separator 7 (or hydraulic compensator) interposed between the first heating circuit 3, the second heating circuit 4 and the third circuit 5 and configured to transfer thermal energy from said first 3 and/or second 4 heating circuit towards the third circuit 5 so as to heat or cool the water circulating in said third circuit 5.
In particular, the hydraulic separator 7 comprises several inlets and outlets thus connected:

a first hydraulic inlet 7a and a first hydraulic outlet 7b configured to be able to be hydraulically connected to said first circuit 3 in order to receive, as input, hot water from the boiler 80 and to return, as output, cold water towards the boiler 80;
a second hydraulic inlet 8a and a second hydraulic outlet 8b configured to be able to be hydraulically connected to said second circuit 4 in order to receive, as input, hot/cold water and to return, as output, cold/hot water;

The hydraulic separator 7 comprises a hot chamber 9 and a cold chamber 10 configured to be internally arranged in contact with each other so as to favour the hot/cold heat exchange or vice versa.
In particular, the hot chamber 9 is connected to said first hydraulic inlet 7a, whilst the cold chamber 10 is connected to said first hydraulic outlet 7b so as to connect the boiler 80 to the hydraulic separator 7.
As regards the heat pump 20, it can be configured in a water heating or water cooling condition. In the former case (water heating), the hot chamber 9 of said hydraulic separator 7 is also connected to said second hydraulic inlet 8a and the cold chamber 10 is also connected to said second hydraulic outlet 8b.
Furthermore, the pumping station 1 comprises at least one hydraulic pump 11 interposed along said third circuit 5 and configured to force the circulation of water in said third circuit 5.
Furthermore, the pumping station 1 preferably a comprises a fifth circuit 12, additional to said third circuit 5, and configured to convey heated water towards a boiler 15 or another user. Present along said fifth circuit 12 there is a further hydraulic pump 13 configured to supply water along said fifth circuit 12. In this case, the hydraulic separator 7 also comprises a further hydraulic inlet 14a and a further hydraulic outlet 14b configured to be able to be hydraulically connected to said fifth circuit 12 in order to supply water towards said boiler 15 or another user.
In accordance with the present invention, the pumping station 1 comprises an actuation unit 2 configured to:

receive a control signal 16 containing data relating to the demand for heat or for cooling generated by a specific thermostat 140 installed in said one or more rooms as better described below;
generate a signal 17 for switching on the boiler 80 and/or for switching on the heat pump 20 based on logics of control in order to select the optimal heat source from the ones present (these logics are preferably stored in the thermostat 140 itself and are predefined by the manufacturer, optionally modifiable), so as to be able to activate the boiler 80 or the heat pump 20 or both;
generate a signal 18 for activating the at least one hydraulic pump 11 (optionally also the further hydraulic pump 13) so as to activate the hydraulic pump 11 when said signal for switching on the boiler 80 and/or the heat pump 20 is generated.

In this manner, the pumping station 1 defines a sort of "after-market" kit for interfacing between a boiler 80 and a heat pump 20, defining the hydraulic and also electronic connection thereof, as illustrated below.
In particular, the pumping station 1 comprises a temperature probe 19 configured to measure the water temperature at said hydraulic separator.
In particular, the temperature probe 19 is electrically connected to said actuation unit 2 in order to send the latter a temperature signal 35 of the hydraulic separator.
In the preferred embodiment, the temperature probe 19 is at least partly inserted inside said hot chamber 9 of the hydraulic separator 7 so as to measure the water temperature inside said hot chamber 9. In this manner, it is possible to verify the actual heat increase of the water inside the hydraulic separator 7 during the operation of the boiler 80 or heat pump 20.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is a control unit 40 (preferably contained in the thermostat or chronothermostat 140), which is connected to said actuation unit 2.
The control unit 40 is separated from the actuation unit 2, but the two units could also be merged into a single management unit.
In particular, the control unit 40 is configured to compare said temperature value measured in the hydraulic separator 7 with a predefined temperature increase value following the generation of the signal 17 for switching on the boiler 80 and/or switching on the heat pump 20 so as to determine whether the water temperature is changing or not following the switching on of the boiler 80 and/or heat pump 20.
If the measured temperature value is lower than a predefined temperature increase value, the actuation unit 2 will generate an alarm signal to be transmitted towards the outside.
For example, if, after a certain time interval (e.g. 2 minutes), the water temperature inside the hydraulic separator 7 has increased by only 2 degrees Celsius after the boiler 80 and/or heat pump 20 have been switched on, it means that the heat pump 20 or boiler 80 is not working properly and thus an alarm signal is generated.
According to one aspect of the present invention, for the purpose of further monitoring the operation of the heat pump 20, the pumping station 1 comprises an interface 50 configured to receive a signal of the value of the electric current supplied to the heat pump 20 and to send it to the control unit 40 (electric current supply to the heat pump 20).
The control unit 40 is configured to:

verify the value of the electric current supplied to the heat pump 20 against a predefined reference value;
verify, by means of said temperature probe 19, after a certain time interval, whether the increase in the water temperature of the hydraulic separator 7 is greater than a certain predefined threshold in order to ascertain the correct operation of the heat pump 20.

In this manner, it is advantageously possible to ascertain the correct operation of the heat pump 20, given that, if a passage of current is detected, it means that the heat pump 20 is working, but if no corresponding temperature increase is detected, it means that the heat pump 20 is not working properly.
Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, the actuation unit 2 comprises an input 60 configured to receive a signal 61 representative of the production of electricity by a photovoltaic system. The control unit 40 is configured to receive the information contained in the signal 61 representative of the production of electricity by a photovoltaic system and to modify said logics of control so as to prioritise the use of the heat pump 20 based on the detected production of electricity.
Therefore, it is possible to prioritise the use of the heat pump 20 rather than use of the boiler 80 at certain times of the day when there is a production of current sufficient to maintain a power supply to the heat pump 20.
Furthermore, according to one possible embodiment, the pumping station 1 comprises a device for monitoring the electricity consumption of a building, the device being configured to measure the electricity consumption of the building and to prioritise the use of the heat pump 20 in relation to the total consumption of the building. In other words, if an excessive electricity consumption is detected, use of the heat pump 20 may be excluded so as to avoid excessive electricity consumption.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the pumping station 1 is advantageously provided with a diverter valve 70, preferably a three-way valve, in order to be able to use the boiler 80 and the heat pump 20 in series or in parallel, according to needs.
In particular, the hydraulic separator 7 comprises a diverter valve 70 selectively configurable in the following alternative configurations:

a first configuration in which the second heating circuit 4 is connected to said second hydraulic inlet 8a, which is connected with said hot chamber 9 so as to bring about a heating of the hot chamber 9 as an alternative or in addition to the heating provided by the first circuit 3 of the boiler 80;
a second configuration in which the second heating circuit 4 is connected to a fourth hydraulic inlet 70a of the hydraulic separator 7, which is connected to said cold chamber 10 of the hydraulic separator 7, so as to bring about a heating of the cold chamber 10 in series with the heating provided by the first circuit 3 of the boiler 80.

The diverter valve 70 is controllable by said actuation unit 2 through a diverting signal 74 generated based on said predefined logics and the demand for heat determined by the difference between the measured temperature and the desired temperature.
For example, it is possible to use the diverter valve 70 to increase the temperature by a few degrees via the heat pump 20, so as then to optimally exploit the heating of the water by the boiler 80 once the temperature has risen by a few degrees (second configuration in series mentioned above). In this case, the actuation unit 2 is configured to generate the signal 17 for switching on the boiler 80 and heat pump 20 simultaneously.
Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, the pumping station 1 also comprises a further connection 22 for a hydraulic manifold 23, preferably intended to direct hot water towards one or more radiant (underfloor) heating circuits so as to connect the pumping station 1 to several zones of the heating system.
The further connection comprises an outlet 22a of the hot chamber 9 of the hydraulic separator 7, which conveys hot water to the manifold, and an inlet 22b to the cold chamber 10 of the hydraulic separator 7 for the return of cold water from the hydraulic manifold.
Furthermore, as may be seen in figure 1, three hydraulic nonreturn valves VZ1, VZ2 and VZ3 are present, respectively interposed along the conduits described below:

conduit supplying hot water from the heat pump 20 to the hydraulic separator 7 (hydraulic valve VZ1);
conduit supplying hot water from the hydraulic separator 7 to the radiator system 6 (hydraulic valve VZ2);
return conduit of cold water from the boiler 15 to the hydraulic separator 7 (hydraulic valve VZ3).

By way of example, a table of the various possible configurations of the pumping station 1 is provided below.

CONFIGURATION	Hydraulic separator (7)	Diverter valves V1 and V2	Diverter valve 70	Pump 11	Further Pump 13	Manifold connection
Basic Configuration						NO
DHW NO, IN SERIES YES	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO
Full 1
DHW NO, IN SERIES NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO	YES
Full 2
DHW YES, IN SERIES NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	YES	YES
Full 3
DHW IN SERIES YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	YES
Full 4
IN SERIES YES, DHW YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	YES	YES

The subject matter of the present invention further relates to a hybrid heating/cooling system comprising:

a boiler 80;
a heat pump 20,
a pumping station 1 as previously described, wherein the pumping station 1 is a unit distinct and separate from the boiler 80 and heat pump 20 but is connected to them.

In particular, the boiler 80 has an input control 71 for switching on and/or off the heating system of the boiler 80 itself by means of the signal 17 for switching on the boiler 80. Preferably, the control 71 is defined by the control for closing or opening the circuit to start or not start heating.
Preferably, the input control 71 is the only electrical control connection between said boiler 80 and said actuation unit 2 of the pumping station 1.
Similarly, the heat pump 20 has an input control 72 for switching on and/or off the heating system of the heat pump 20 itself by means of the signal 17 for switching on the heat pump 20. The input control 72 is preferably the only electrical connection between said heat pump 20 and said actuation unit 2 of the pumping station 1.
The system further comprises the thermostat 140 (or chronothermostat 140) placed in a room to be heated/cooled and in turn comprising:

a temperature detection sensor 41 configured to generate a temperature signal 30;
a database 42 containing data relating to said logics of control and selection of the optimal heat source.

Said thermostat 140 is configured to communicate with the actuation unit 2 and to provide the latter with the necessary information.
In particular, the thermostat 140 is configured to compare the current temperature in a room with a predefined desired temperature value (e.g. the temperature set on the thermostat 140) and to generate the aforesaid control signal 16 containing data relating to the demand for heat or for cooling.
It should be noted that the thermostat 140 has a function whereby the control unit 40 (preferably contained in the thermostat 140 and defining the latter) is configured to prioritise economic or ecological efficiency, so as to give greater priority to the heat pump 20 or to the boiler 80, based on parameters such as the availability of electricity from the photovoltaic panels or another parameter.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pumping station 1 can be set up in a basic form (basic configuration) without the hydraulic separator 7. In such a case, the first circuit 3 or the second circuit 4 is configured to be connected to the third circuit 5 to convey hot/cold water to the radiator system 6 (or to the fifth circuit 12 connected to the boiler 15) by means of specific diverter valves V1 and V2.
The subject matter of the present invention further relates to a method for managing hybrid heating and/or cooling systems, comprising a boiler 80 and a heat pump 20, already pre-installed, the method comprising the following operating steps.
A first step involves providing the pumping station 1 as previously described and connecting it to the boiler 80 and heat pump 20. In particular, the connection takes place in the following manner:

connecting a hydraulic hot water delivery outlet of the boiler 80 and a hydraulic cold water return inlet of the boiler 8 to said first heating circuit 3;
connecting a hydraulic hot or cold water delivery outlet of the heat pump 20 and a hydraulic cold or hot water return inlet of the heat pump 20 to said second heating circuit 4;
connecting said third circuit 5 to a radiator 6 and/or domestic water heating system;
optionally connecting the fifth hydraulic circuit 12 to a boiler 15 or another user;
connecting the control unit 40 (preferably contained in the thermostat 140) with the actuation unit 2 for the management of the latter;
connecting the electrical controls of the boiler 80 and of the heat pump 20 to said actuation unit 2;
generating said signal 17 for switching on the boiler 80 and/or for switching on the heat pump 20 based on said comparison and based on predefined logics of control and selection of the optimal heat source, so as to be able to activate the boiler 80 or the heat pump 20 or both by means of said electrical controls;
generating a signal 18 for activating the at least one hydraulic pump 11 so as to activate the hydraulic pump 11 when said signal for switching on the boiler 80 and/or of the heat pump 20 is generated.

The present invention achieves the stated objects.
In particular, the present invention makes it possible to exploit boilers and heat pumps that have been previously installed, or in cases where the two appliances are not designed to communicate with each other, by means of an "after-market" pumping station 1 capable of hydraulically connecting boilers and pumps and of managing them by using the control unit 40 and the dedicated actuation unit 2 (external to the boiler 80 and heat pump 20).
In particular, the dedicated actuation unit 2 allows the boiler 80 and heat pump 20 to be managed solely by means of the on/off controls without the need for the two appliances to communicate in the same language or according to protocols of the same manufacturer.
In addition, the actuation unit 2 enables the correct operation of the heat pump 20 to be monitored via external monitoring, without the need to have access to the operational diagrams of the heat pump 20 itself or to communicate with the latter.
Finally, the pumping station 1 enables the boiler 80 and heat pump 20 to be used alternatively or also in series with each other to optimise the benefits of joint heating.
It should further be pointed out that the present invention is relatively easy to put into effect and that the cost connected to the implementation of the invention is not very high.

Claims

A pumping station (1) for hybrid heating and/or cooling systems comprising a boiler (80) and/or a heat pump (20), wherein said pumping station (1) is a unit distinct from said boiler (80) and/or heat pump (20), the pumping station comprising:
- a first heating circuit (3) for supplying hot water, configured to be able to be connected to an external boiler (80);

- a second heating circuit (4) for supplying hot or cold water, configured to be able to be connected to an external heat pump (20);

- at least a third circuit (5) configured to convey hot or cold water towards the outside and connected to a radiator (6) and/or domestic water heating system;

- at least one hydraulic pump (11) interposed along said third circuit (5) and configured to force the circulation of water in said third circuit (5);
characterised in that it comprises an actuation unit (2) configured to:
receive a control signal (16) containing data relating to the demand for heat or for cooling;

generate a signal (17) for switching on the boiler (80) and/or for switching on the heat pump (20) based on said comparison and based on predefined logics of control and selection of the optimal heat source, so as to be able to activate the boiler (80) or the heat pump (20) or both;

generate a signal (18) for activating the at least one hydraulic pump (11) so as to activate the hydraulic pump (11) when said signal for switching on the boiler (80) and/or the heat pump (20) is generated.
The pumping station (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a hydraulic separator (7) interposed between the first heating circuit (3), the second heating circuit (4) and the third circuit (5) and configured to transfer thermal energy from said first and/or second heating circuit (4) towards the third circuit (5);
The pumping station (1) according to claim 2, wherein said hydraulic separator (7) comprises:
a first hydraulic inlet (7a) and a first hydraulic outlet (7b) configured to be able to be hydraulically connected to said first circuit (3) in order to receive, as input, hot water from the boiler (80) and to return, as output, cold water towards the boiler (80);

a second hydraulic inlet (8a) and a second hydraulic outlet (8b) configured to be able to be hydraulically connected to said second circuit (4) in order to receive, as input, hot/cold water and to return, as output, cold/hot water;

said hydraulic separator (7) comprising a hot chamber (9) and a cold chamber (10); said hot chamber (9) being connected to at least said first hydraulic inlet (7a), whilst said cold chamber (10) is connected to said first hydraulic outlet (7b).
The pumping station (1) according to claim 3, wherein said hot chamber (9) of said hydraulic separator (7) is also connected to said second hydraulic inlet (8a); said cold chamber (10) also being connected to said second hydraulic outlet (8b).
The pumping station (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that it comprises a temperature probe (19) configured to measure the water temperature at said hydraulic separator (7); said temperature probe (19) being electrically connected to said actuation unit (2) in order to send the latter a temperature signal (35) of the hydraulic separator (7).
The pumping station (1) according to claim 5 when it depends on one of claims 2 or 3 or 4, wherein said temperature probe (19) is at least partly inserted inside said hot chamber (9) of the hydraulic separator (7) so as to measure the water temperature inside said hot chamber (9).
The pumping station (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said actuation unit (2) is configured to compare said temperature value of the hydraulic separator (7) with a predefined temperature increase value following the generation of the signal (17) for switching on the boiler (80) and/or for switching on the heat pump (20) so as to determine whether the water temperature is changing or not following the switching on of the boiler (80) and/or heat pump (20).
The pumping station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 2, characterised in that it comprises an interface (50) configured to receive a signal of the value of the electric current supplied to the heat pump (20) and to send it to a control unit (40) connected to said actuation unit (2); said control unit (40) being configured to:
- verify the value of the electric current supplied to the heat pump (20) against a predefined reference value;

- verify, by means of said temperature probe (19), after a certain time interval, whether the increase in the water temperature of the hydraulic separator (7) is greater than a certain predefined threshold in order to verify the correct operation of the heat pump (20).
The pumping station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an input (50) configured to receive a signal representative of the production of electricity by a photovoltaic system; said actuation unit (2) being configured to receive said signal representative of the production of electricity by a photovoltaic system and to modify said control logics so as to favour the use of the heat pump (20) based on the detected production of electricity.
The pumping station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims when it depends on one of claims 2 or 3 or 4, characterised in that said hydraulic separator (7) of thermal energy comprises a diverter valve (70) configured to select one of the following alternative configurations:
- the second heating circuit (4) is connected to said second hydraulic inlet (8a), which is connected with said hot chamber (9) so as to bring about a heating of the hot chamber (9) as an alternative or in addition to the heating provided by the first circuit (3) of the boiler (80);

- the second heating circuit (4) is connected to a fourth hydraulic inlet of the hydraulic separator (7), which is connected to said cold chamber (10) of the hydraulic separator (7) so as to bring about a heating of the cold chamber (10) in series with the heating provided by the first circuit (3) of the boiler (80);
said diverter valve (70) being controlled by said actuation unit (2) through a diverting signal (74) generated based on said predefined logics.
The pumping station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 2, characterised in that it comprises a fifth circuit (12), additional to said third circuit (5) and configured to convey heated water towards a boiler (15) or another user; a further hydraulic pump (13), controlled by said actuation unit (2), being present along said fifth circuit and configured to supply water along said circuit;
said hydraulic separator (7) comprising a further hydraulic inlet and a further hydraulic outlet configured to be able to be hydraulically connected to said fifth circuit (12) in order to supply water towards said boiler (15) or another user.
A hybrid heating/ cooling system comprising:
a boiler (80);

a heat pump (20),

a pumping station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pumping station (1) is a unit distinct from said boiler (80) and heat pump (20) and connected thereto.
The system according to claim 12 wherein said boiler (80) has an input control (71) for switching on and/or off the heating system of the boiler (80) itself; said input control (71) being the only electrical connection between said boiler (80) and said actuation unit (2) of the pumping station (1).
The system according to one of claims 12 or 13, wherein said heat pump (20) has an input control (71) for switching on and/or off the heating system of the heat pump (20) itself; said input control (71) being the only electrical connection between said heat pump (20) and said actuation unit (2) of the pumping station (1).
A method for managing hybrid heating and/or cooling systems, comprising a boiler (80) and a heat pump (20), already pre-installed, and comprising the following operating steps:
providing a pumping station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

connecting said pumping station (1) to said boiler (80) and heat pump (20), according to the following sub-steps:
- connecting a hydraulic hot water delivery outlet of the boiler (80) and a hydraulic cold water return inlet of the boiler (80) to said first heating circuit (3);

- connecting a hydraulic hot or cold water delivery outlet of the heat pump (20) and a hydraulic cold or hot water return inlet of the heat pump (20) to said second heating circuit (4);

- connecting said third circuit (5) to a radiator (6) and/or domestic water heating system;

- optionally connecting the fifth hydraulic circuit (12) to a boiler (15) or another user;

- connecting the actuation unit (2) to a thermostat (140) configured to compare said current temperature with said predefined desired temperature value, wherein said thermostat (140) comprises the control unit (40);

- connecting the electrical controls of the boiler (80) and of the heat pump (20) to said control unit (2);

- generating said signal (17) for switching on the boiler (80) and/or for switching on the heat pump (20) based on said comparison and based on predefined logics of control and selection of the optimal heat source, so as to be able to activate the boiler (80) or the heat pump (20) or both by means of said electrical controls;

- generating a signal (18) for activating the at least one hydraulic pump (11) so as to activate the hydraulic pump (11) when said signal for switching on the boiler (80) and/or the heat pump (20) is generated.