WO2022168049A1 - Heating installations, methods and systems - Google Patents
Heating installations, methods and systems Download PDFInfo
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- WO2022168049A1 WO2022168049A1 PCT/IB2022/051081 IB2022051081W WO2022168049A1 WO 2022168049 A1 WO2022168049 A1 WO 2022168049A1 IB 2022051081 W IB2022051081 W IB 2022051081W WO 2022168049 A1 WO2022168049 A1 WO 2022168049A1
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- energy
- controller
- heat pump
- premises
- heating
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D19/00—Details
- F24D19/10—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F24D19/1006—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems
- F24D19/1009—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for central heating
- F24D19/1039—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for central heating the system uses a heat pump
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D19/00—Details
- F24D19/10—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F24D19/1006—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems
- F24D19/1066—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for the combination of central heating and domestic hot water
- F24D19/1072—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for the combination of central heating and domestic hot water the system uses a heat pump
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
- F24H15/262—Weather information or forecast
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
- F24H15/265—Occupancy
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
- F24H15/375—Control of heat pumps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D2220/00—Components of central heating installations excluding heat sources
- F24D2220/08—Storage tanks
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D2220/00—Components of central heating installations excluding heat sources
- F24D2220/10—Heat storage materials, e.g. phase change materials or static water enclosed in a space
Definitions
- the present disclosure variously relates to heating installation for premises, and related methods, systems and apparatus.
- the UK has a large number of small, 2 -3 bedroom or less, properties with gas-fired central heating, and most of these properties use what are known as combination boilers, in which the boiler acts as an instantaneous hot water heater, and as a boiler for central heating.
- Combination boilers are popular because they combine a small form factor, provide a more or less immediate source of "unlimited" hot water (with 20 to 35kW output), and do not require hot water storage.
- Such boilers can be purchased from reputable manufactures relatively inexpensively.
- the small form factor and the ability to do without a hot water storage tank mean that it is generally possible to accommodate such a boiler even in a small flat or house - often wall-mounted in the kitchen, and to install a new boiler with one man day's work. It is therefore possible to get a new combi gas boiler installed inexpensively. With the imminent ban on new gas boilers, alternative heat sources will need to be provided in place of gas combi boilers. In addition, previously fitted combi boilers will eventually need to be replaced with some alternative.
- heat pumps have been proposed as a potential solution to the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut CO2 emissions, they are currently unsuited to the problem of replacing gas fired boilers in smaller domestic (and small commercial) premises or a number of technical, commercial and practical reasons. They are typically very large and need a substantial unit on the outside of the property. Thus, they cannot easily be retrofitted into a property with a typical combi boiler.
- a unit capable of providing equivalent output to a typical gas boiler would currently be expensive and may require significant electrical demand. Not only do the units themselves cost multiples of the equivalent gas fired equivalent, but also their size and complexity mean that installation is technically complex and therefore expensive.
- a storage tank for hot water is also required, and this is a further factor militating against the use of heat pumps in small domestic dwellings.
- a further technical problem is that heat pumps tend to require a significant time to start producing heat in response to demand, perhaps 30 seconds for self-checking then some time to heat up - so a delay of 1 minute or more between asking for hot water and its delivery. For this reason, attempted renewable solutions using heat pumps and/or solar are typically applicable to large properties with room for a hot water storage tank (with space demands, heat loss and legionella risk).
- a heating installation for premises comprising: a controller, and coupled to the controller: an air source heat pump; a premises heating arrangement; and a local weather sensing arrangement; wherein the controller is configured to: receive weather forecast data from an external source, and local weather status information from the local weather sensing arrangement; set a control algorithm based on both the weather forecast data and the local weather status information; and control a supply of energy from the air source heat pump to the heating arrangement based on the set control algorithm; wherein the controller is configured to increase energy input into the heating arrangement in anticipation of a forecast fall in the temperature of the air from which the air source heat pump extracts energy.
- the controller is configured to increase energy input into the heating arrangement in anticipation of a forecast fall in the temperature of the air from which the air source heat pump extracts energy.
- the controller is configured to control the supply of energy based on a predicted likelihood that the premises heating arrangement will be activated or used or required during a forecast period of lowered temperature.
- the controller is configured to predict the likelihood based on past household behaviour of the premises, and/or on past behaviour of comparable households.
- the controller may be configured to take account of occupancy or predicted occupancy of the premises in predicting the likelihood.
- the controller is configured to take account of scheduled activity of occupants of the premises in predicting the likelihood.
- the controller is configured to override a setting of the heating arrangement.
- the heating installation further comprises an energy store arranged to receive energy from the heat pump, the controller being configured to control a supply of energy from the air source heat pump to the energy store based on the set control algorithm.
- the energy store comprises a mass of phase change material that is used to store energy as latent heat.
- the controller is configured to control a supply of energy to the energy store to increase the amount of energy stored in the store as sensible heat.
- the energy store is arranged to supply energy to a hot water system of the premises.
- a method of controlling a premises heating installation including an air source heat pump, the method comprising: receiving weather forecast data from an external source, and local weather status information from a local weather sensing arrangement; setting a control algorithm based on both the weather forecast data and the local weather status information; controlling the air source heat pump based on the setting of the control algorithm; and increasing energy input into the heating arrangement in anticipation of a forecast fall in the temperature of the air from which the air source heat pump extracts energy.
- the method further comprises controlling the supply of energy based on a predicted likelihood that the premises heating arrangement will be any one of activated, used, or required during a forecast period of lowered temperature.
- the method further comprises predicting the likelihood based on past household behaviour of the premises, and/or on past behaviour of comparable households.
- the method further comprises taking account of occupancy or predicted occupancy of the premises in predicting the likelihood.
- the method further comprises taking account of scheduled activity of occupants of the premises in predicting the likelihood.
- the method further comprises overriding a setting of the heating arrangement.
- the installation may include an energy store arranged to receive energy from the heat pump, the method further comprising controlling a supply of energy from the air source heat pump to the energy store based on the set control algorithm.
- the energy store comprises a mass of phase change material that is used to store energy as latent heat, the method further comprising controlling a supply of energy to the energy store to increase the amount of energy stored in the store as sensible heat.
- a domestic green power generation installation comprising: a controller, and coupled to the controller: a green energy source; an energy sink; and a local weather sensing arrangement; wherein the controller is configured to: receive weather forecast data from an external source, and local weather status information from the local weather sensing arrangement; set a control algorithm based on both the weather forecast data and the local weather status information; and control a supply of energy from the green energy source to the energy sink and/or the energy store based on the set control algorithm.
- the controller is configured to: receive weather forecast data from an external source, and local weather status information from the local weather sensing arrangement; set a control algorithm based on both the weather forecast data and the local weather status information; and control a supply of energy from the green energy source to the energy sink and/or the energy store based on the set control algorithm.
- the green energy source is selected from the group comprising: an air source heat pump, a photovoltaic installation including one or more photovoltaic cells, and a wind turbine.
- the energy sink is selected from the group comprising: a heating installation for premises, an energy store, and a hot water supply system.
- a method of controlling a domestic heating installation that includes a green energy source, the method comprising: receiving weather forecast data from an external source, and local weather status information from a local weather sensing arrangement; setting a control algorithm based on both the weather forecast data and the local weather status information; and controlling a supply of energy from the green energy source to the domestic heating installation based on the setting of the control algorithm.
- Figure 1 shows schematically an overview of a system according to an aspect of the invention
- Figure 2 corresponds generally to figure 1, but includes more detail
- FIG. 3 shows schematically details of a system according to an aspect of the invention
- Figure 4 is a schematic timeline diagram illustrating the operation of a controller according to an aspect of the invention.
- Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an energy bank including a phase change material and a heat exchanger coupled to a heat pump energy source, the energy bank including one or more sensors to provide measurement data indicative of the amount of energy stored as latent heat in the phase change material;
- Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a potential arrangement of components of an interface unit, incorporating energy bank according to an aspect of the disclosure.
- FIG. 1 shows schematically an overview of the system 100 according to an aspect of the invention.
- the system includes a controller 102 coupled to a green energy source 104, an energy sink 106, and a local weather sensing arrangement 108.
- the controller 102 is configured to receive weather forecast data from an external source 110, for example via a wired or wireless connection, and local weather status information from the local weather sensing arrangement 108.
- the system also optionally includes an energy store 112 which is coupled to the green energy source 104, the controller 102, and the energy sink 106.
- the green energy source 104 may, for example include a wind turbine 105, a photovoltaic arrangement 107 or, more preferably an air source heat pump 109.
- the controller 102 is further configured to set a control algorithm based on both the weather forecast data and the local weather status information, and to control a supply of energy from the green energy source to the energy sink and/or the energy store based on the set control algorithm.
- FIG 2 corresponds generally to Figure 1 but includes rather more detail.
- the controller 102 operates a control algorithm based on received weather forecast data, adjusted if necessary based on local weather status information from a local weather sensing arrangement 108.
- the control algorithm 103 is operated with a view to using energy that is available currently, or that is predicted to become available, prior to a local change in the weather which is forecast to reduce the amount of energy available from the green energy source 104.
- the control algorithm may be used to extract energy, and supply this to the energy sink, for example a premises heating installation, and/or an energy store, for example a thermal energy store, in anticipation that this extracted energy will be useful later.
- the control algorithm may be used to divert energy from the photovoltaics to supply the energy sink, for example a premises heating installation, and/or an energy store such as a battery or super capacitor arrangement, rather than supplying all or most of the captured energy to an electricity grid.
- the green energy source comprises one or more wind turbines, and a currently, or shortly to be, windy day is forecast to be replaced by a prolonged period without wind, the captured energy can be treated as just described with reference to the photovoltaic arrangement.
- the controller algorithm may be arranged to increase energy input into a premises heating arrangement, an energy sink, in anticipation of a forecast fall in air temperature.
- a forecast for in air temperature may make it more likely that occupants of the premises will start to use the heating installation, and/or increase its temperature setting, to offset the effect of the forecast fall in air temperature.
- the controller may be configured to control the supply of energy based on a predicted likelihood that the premises heating arrangement will be activated/used/required during a forecast period of lowered temperature.
- the controller may be configured to predict the likelihood based on past household behaviour of the premises, and/or on past behaviour of comparable households.
- the controller may be configured to use a machine-learning algorithm to learn occupant behaviour from the settings and operation of, inter alia, a premises heating arrangement.
- the controller may also be provided with data on the behaviour of comparable households, either provided on installation/initial configuration of the system or provided or updated from a supplier or operator server in the cloud, for example.
- the controller is also preferably configured to take account of occupancy, or predicted occupants of the premises, in predicting the likelihood.
- the controller may be configured to take account of schedule activity of occupants of the premises in predicting the likelihood - the controller having, optionally, access to schedules, calendars, and/or appointment details of occupants of the premises respect, the controller may operate in "smart home" mode.
- the controller may also be supplied with information from presence detectors, for example movement sensors (e.g., PIR sensors) and or door sensors which may be provided as part of a security monitoring system, as well as, or instead of, being supplied with information from the electrical system of the premises strike that which may provide information on the activation of, for example, lighting circuits and the like in the premises.
- the use of a local weather sensing arrangement 108 enables more accurate prediction and detection of weather events affecting the premises, increasing the ability to achieve energy savings in the running of the system.
- the controller 102 may be configured to run a machine learning algorithm which is configured to learn how the weather experienced by the premises, as detected by the local weather sensing arrangement, differs from the weather forecast data received, for example in terms of time delay and, optionally, severity. Using such a machine learning algorithm, the controller 102 may be able to make better predictions of when it may be beneficial to increase a supply of energy from the green energy source to a local energy sink and/or energy store.
- the local weather sensing arrangement 108 is preferably arranged to sense air temperature, the humidity of the air, and barometric pressure.
- the arrangement 108 may include separate sensors to detect each of these variables, but preferably the arrangement 108 is based upon an integrated weather sensing device, for example a weather sensing chip.
- a weather sensing chip is available as the Bosch Sensortec BME280 integrated environmental unit which provides a humidity sensor measuring relative humidity, barometric pressure and ambient temperature, all to a high degree of accuracy: the humidity sensor is accurate to ⁇ 3% relative humidity, the pressure sensor is accurate to ⁇ 0.25%, and the temperature sensor is accurate to ⁇ 1°C over the range 0-65°C.
- the BME280 has a weather monitoring mode which provides pressure temperature and humidity readings once a minute, which is frequent enough for our purposes.
- the local weather sensing arrangement 108 may include a wind speed sensor and wind direction detector, since wind direction and speed can be very useful indicators of current and likely imminent weather conditions - such as indicating the possible arrival, passage, and passing of cold weather fronts, etc.
- FIG 3 shows schematically details of a system according to an aspect of the invention, which corresponds very closely to figure 2, but in which the green energy source is an air source heat pump 109 and the energy sink includes a premises heating installation 116, and preferably a thermal energy store, ideally including a phase change material that whose phase change is used to store energy as latent heat.
- the green energy source is an air source heat pump 109
- the energy sink includes a premises heating installation 116, and preferably a thermal energy store, ideally including a phase change material that whose phase change is used to store energy as latent heat.
- Figure 4 is a schematic timeline diagram illustrating the operation of the controller 102 according to an aspect of the invention.
- the controller receives weather forecast data from an external source.
- the controller may be configured to collect such data periodically, or the data may be pushed to the controller periodically or, more preferably, whenever a significant change in weather is forecast.
- These weather forecast data may be provided, for example, by a national or regional meteorological function, such as the Met Office in the UK, a national or regional broadcaster, such as the BBC in the UK, or any other national, regional or local provider of weather forecast information, all of whom provide data feeds over the Internet. Also of course, these weather forecast data may be provided by a data aggregator, news agency, or any other intermediary or source.
- the controller receives local weather status information from a local weather sensing arrangement, for example based on a device such as the BME280.
- the controller may be configured to collect such weather status information periodically, or the information may be pushed or otherwise supplied to the controller periodically or, more preferably whenever one or more signs of an imminent significant change in weather is detected.
- the Figure shows the controller receiving the weather forecast data before receiving the local weather status information, the order may be reversed with the controller receiving the local weather status information before receiving the weather forecast data.
- the controller may be arranged to receive and process local weather status information continuously (for example once a minute, or once every few minutes), detecting indicators of significant forthcoming or instantaneous changes in local weather.
- the local weather sensing arrangement 108 may, and preferably does, include a processing capability arranged to process local weather status information, to detect indicators of significant forthcoming or instantaneous changes in local weather, notifications of which are then either passed promptly to the controller 102 or which are read periodically by the controller 102.
- the controller processes the received weather forecast data and the received weather status information to determine whether to increase energy input into the energy sink 106.
- the controller preferably takes account of a predicted likelihood that extra energy supplied to the energy sink will be useful.
- the controller is preferably configured to predict the likelihood that the premises heating arrangement will be activated/used/required during a forecast period of lowered temperature.
- the controller preferably takes account of past household behaviour of the premises - for example whether or not the heating arrangement was used under similar meteorological conditions, at the same or corresponding time of year, and the nature of any such usage, for example the period of use, thermostat settings, et cetera.
- the controller may take account of past behaviour of comparable households, the relevant data being stored in memory 202 and optionally supplied/updated from a network-based resource associated with the manufacturer/supplier/operator of the system.
- the controller is configured to take account of occupancy or predicted occupancy of the premises in predicting the likelihood, optionally taking account of scheduled activity of documents of the premises.
- the controller 102 may, for example, be part of or integrated with a "smart home" control system, and or coupled to a security monitoring system, so that occupancy and activity sensing/sensors may provide data for the controller 102 to use in predicting the likelihood.
- the controller may also be configured to override the setting of the heating arrangement, for example the heating arrangement may be set to turn on at some later time, and/or may be controlled by thermostat which is set at a temperature above the current ambient, so that the heating arrangement is currently off: the controller may override the timer and/or the thermostat, so that additional energy can be input into the heating arrangement.
- the controller may establish a weather forecast window 406, with the start time 408 and an end time 410.
- the controller checks the status of the green energy source 104.
- the green energy source 104 provides the controller with a status update.
- the controller checks the status of the energy sink, optionally including a heating arrangement and an energy store (such as a battery, or an energy storage arrangement based on a PCM).
- the energy store provides the controller with a status update.
- the processor Based on the status updates, and the processing performed in step 404, the processor performs a second processing at step 420 to determine control parameters to be used in controlling the green energy source, as appropriate, and the energy sink (optionally including both a heating arrangement and an energy storage arrangement).
- the controller then, as appropriate, sends at 422 control instructions to the green energy source 104, and at 424 control instructions to the energy sink, based on the determined control parameters.
- the green energy source and the energy sink provide feedback information at steps 426 and 428. Thereafter, as necessary the controller issues appropriate control instructions to, and receives feedback from, the green energy source and the energy sink.
- the method of the present invention is particularly attractive when applied to installations in which the green energy source is an air source heat pump.
- a cold front in advance of the cold front may be warm, with a high atmospheric pressure, and with the air possibly having a high relative humidity; as the cold front approaches, the atmospheric pressure starts to fall and cloud cover becomes more dense; then, as the cold front passes, the pressure reaches a minimum, temperature drops suddenly by as much as 10°C or more, cloud cover becomes heavy, and heavy rain falls; after the cold front passes, the temperature may continue to fall, although the atmospheric pressure starts to increase, heavy rain becomes showers which then clear, and cloud cover tends to become less dense.
- the enthalpy of moist and humid air includes the enthalpy of the dry air - the sensible heat, and the enthalpy of the evaporated water in the air - the latent heat.
- the energy stored as latent heat from the evaporation of water significantly exceeds the energy stored as sensible heat: for example, at 25°C and 80% R.H., the enthalpy of the moist air is about 66 kJ/kg, of which latent heat from the evaporation of water contributes about 40kJ/kg (about 60%).
- the enthalpy is about 26 kJ/kg. It can readily be appreciated that the extra 40kJ/kg of energy that is available from the warmer air compared to the cooler air can potentially make a significant contribution to the effective efficiency of the heat pump - provided that the extra energy can be used for a useful purpose - such as pre-heating, or over-heating the premises, and/or charging or overcharging a thermal energy store.
- FIG. 5 shows schematically an energy bank 510 including a heat exchanger, the energy bank comprising an enclosure 512.
- an input-side circuit 514 of the heat exchanger for connection to an energy source - shown here as an air source heat pump 109
- an output-side circuit 516 of the heat exchanger for connection to an energy sink - shown here as a hot water supply system connected to a cold-water feed 520 and including one or more outlets 522.
- Within the enclosure 512 is a phase-change material for the storage of energy.
- the energy bank 510 also includes one or more status sensors 524, to provide a measurement of indicative of a status of the PCM.
- one or more of the status sensors 524 may be a pressure sensor to measure pressure within the enclosure.
- the enclosure also includes one or more temperature sensors 526 to measure temperatures within the phase change material (PCM). If, as is preferred, multiple temperature sensors are provided within the PCM, these are preferably spaced apart from the structure of the input and output circuits of the heat exchanger, and suitably spaced apart within the PCM to obtain a good "picture" of the state of the PCM.
- PCM phase change material
- the energy bank 510 has an associated system controller 102 which includes a processor 529.
- the controller may be integrated into the energy bank 510 but is more typically mounted separately.
- the controller 102 may also be provided with a user interface module 531, as an integrated or separate unit, or as a unit that may be detachably mounted to a body containing the controller 102.
- the user interface module 531 typically includes a display panel and keypad, for example in the form of a touch-sensitive display.
- the user interface module 531 if separate or separable from the controller 102 preferably includes a wireless communication capability to enable the processor 529 of controller 102 and the user interface module to communicate with each other.
- the user interface module 531 may be used to display system status information, messages, advice and warnings to the user, and to receive user input and user commands - such as start and stop instructions, temperature settings, system overrides, etc.
- the status sensor(s) is/are coupled to the processor 102, as is/are the temperature sensor(s) 526 if present.
- the processor 102 is also coupled to a processor/controller 532 in the air source heat pump 109, either through a wired connection, or wirelessly using associated transceivers 534 and 536, or through both a wired and a wireless connection.
- the system controller 102 is able to send instructions, such as a start instruction and a stop instruction, to the controller 532 of the air source heat pump 109.
- the processor 102 is also able to receive information from the controller 532 of the heat pump 109, such as status updates, temperature information, etc.
- the hot water supply installation also includes one or more flow sensors 538 which measure flow in the hot water supply system.
- a flow sensor may be provided on the cold-water feed 520 to the system, and or between the output of the output-side circuit 18 of the heat exchanger.
- one or more pressure sensors may also be included in the hot water supply system, and again the pressure sensor(s) may be provided upstream of the heat exchanger/energy bank, and/or downstream of the heat excha nger/energy bank - for example alongside one or more of the one or more flow sensors 538.
- the or each flow sensor, the or each temperature sensor, and the or each pressure sensor is coupled to the processor 529 of the system controller 102 with either or both of a wired or wireless connection, for example using one or more wireless transmitters or transceivers 540.
- a wired or wireless connection for example using one or more wireless transmitters or transceivers 540.
- the various sensors 524, 526, and 538 they may also be interrogatable by the processor 529 of the system controller 102.
- An electrically controlled thermostatic mixing valve 560 is coupled between the outlet of the energy bank and the one or more outlets of the hot water supply system and includes a temperature sensor 542 at its outlet.
- An additional instantaneous water heater, 570 for example an electrical heater (inductive or resistive) controlled by the controller 102, is preferably positioned in the water flow path between the outlet of the energy bank and the mixing valve 560.
- a further temperature sensor may be provided to measure the temperature of water output by the instantaneous water heater 570, and the measurements provided to the controller 102.
- the thermostatic mixing valve 560 is also coupled to a cold- water supply 540, and is controllable by the controller 102 to mix hot and cold water to achieve a desired supply temperature.
- the energy bank 510 may include, within the enclosure 512, an electrical heating element 514 which is controlled by the processor 529 of the system controller 102, and which may on occasion be used as an alternative to the heat pump 109 to recharge the energy bank.
- the processor 102 is also coupled to a local weather sensing arrangement 108 and is configured to receive weather forecast data from an external source 110, for example via a wired or wireless data link or feed.
- FIG. 5 is merely a schematic, and only shows connection of the heat pump to a hot water supply installation. It will be appreciated that in many parts of the world there is a need for space heating as well as hot water. Typically, therefore the heat pump 109 will also be used to provide space heating. An exemplary arrangement in which an air source heat pump both provides space heating and works with an energy bank for hot water heating will now be described with reference to Figure 6.
- FIG. 6 shows schematically a potential arrangement of components of an interface unit 10 according to an aspect of the disclosure.
- the interface unit interfaces between a heat pump (not shown in this Figure) and an in-building hot water system.
- the interface unit includes a heat exchanger 12 comprising an enclosure (not separately numbered) within which is an input-side circuit, shown in very simplified form as 14, for connection to the heat pump, and an output-side circuit, again shown in very simplified form as 16, for connection to the in-building hot water system (not shown in this Figure).
- the heat exchanger 12 also contains a thermal storage medium for the storage of energy, but this is not shown in the Figure.
- the thermal storage medium is a phase-change material. It will be recognised that the interface unit corresponds to he previously described energy bank.
- references to energy bank, thermal storage medium, energy storage medium and phase change material should be considered to be interchangeable unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
- the phase-change material in the heat exchanger has an energy storage capacity (in terms of the amount of energy stored by virtue of the latent heat of fusion) of between 2 and 5 MJoules, although more energy storage is possible and can be useful. And of course, less energy storage is also possible, but in general one wants to maximise (subject to practical constraints based on physical dimensions, weight, cost and safety) the potential for energy storage in the phase-change material of the interface unit 10. More will be said about suitable phase-change materials and their properties, and also about dimensions etc. later in this specification.
- the input side circuit 14 is connected to a pipe or conduit 18 which is in turn fed from node 20, from pipe 22 which has a coupling 24 for connection to a feed from a heat pump.
- Node 20 also feeds fluid from the heat pump to pipe 26 which terminates in a coupling 28 which is intended for connection to a heating network of a house or flat - for example for plumbing in to underfloor heating or a network of radiators or both.
- fluid heated by a heat pump (which is located outside the house or flat) passes through coupling 24 and along pipe 22 to node 20, from where part of the fluid flow passes along pipe 18 to the input-side circuit 14 of the heat exchanger, while the other part of the fluid flow passes along pipe 26 and out through coupling 28 to the heating infrastructure of the house or flat.
- Heated fluid from the heat pump flows through the input-side circuit 14 of the heat exchanger and out of the heat exchanger 12 along pipe 30.
- heat carried by the heated fluid from the heat pump gives up some of its energy to the phase change material inside the heat exchanger and some to water in the output-side circuit 16.
- fluid flowing through the input-side circuit 14 of the heat exchanger actually acquires heat from the phase change material.
- Pipe 30 feeds fluid that leaves the input-side circuit 14 to a motorized 3-port valve 32 and then, depending upon the status of the valve out along pipe 34 to pump 36.
- Pump 36 serves to push the flow on to the external heat pump via coupling 36.
- the motorized 3-port valve 32 also receives fluid from pipe 40 which receives, via coupling 42, fluid returning from the heating infrastructure (e.g., radiators) of the house or flat.
- heating infrastructure e.g., radiators
- a trio of transducers are provided: a temperature transducer 44, a flow transducer 46, and a pressure transducer 48.
- a temperature transducer 49 is provided in the pipe 22 which brings in fluid from the output of the heat pump.
- an additional electrical heating element may also be provided in the flow path between the coupler 24, which receives fluid from the output of the heat pump.
- This additional electrical heating element may again be an inductive or resistive heating element and is provided as a means to compensate for potential failure of the heat pump, but also for possible use in adding energy to the thermal storage unit (for example based on the current energy cost and predicted for heating and/or hot water.
- the additional electrical heating element is also of course controllable by the processor of the system.
- an expansion vessel 50 is also coupled to pipe 34, to which is connected a valve 52 by means of which a filling loop may be connected to top up fluid in the heating circuit. Also shown as part of the heating circuit of the interface unit are a pressure relief valve 54, intermediate the node 20 and the input-side circuit 14, and a strainer 56 (to capture particulate contaminants) intermediate coupling 42 and the 3-port valve 32.
- the heat exchanger 12 is also provided with several transducers, including at least one temperature transducer 58, although more (e.g., up to 4 or more) are preferable provided, as shown, and a pressure transducer 60.
- the heat exchanger includes 4 temperature transducers uniformly distributed within the phase change material so that temperature variations can be determined (and hence knowledge obtained about the state of the phase change material throughout its bulk).
- Such an arrangement may be of particular benefit during the design/implementation phase as a means to optimise design of the heat exchanger - including in optimising addition heat transfer arrangements. But such an arrangement may also continue to be of benefit in deployed systems as having multiple sensors can provide useful information to the processor and machine learning algorithms employed by the processor (either of just the interface unit, and/or of a processor of a system including the interface unit.
- a coupling 62 is provided for connection to a cold feed from a water main. Typically, before water from the water main reaches the interface unit 10, the water will have passed through an anti-syphon non-return valve and may have had its pressure reduced. From coupling 62 cold water passes along pipe to the output-side circuit 16 of the heat exchanger 12. Given that we provide a processor that is monitoring numerous sensors in the interface unit, the same processor can optionally be given one more task to do. That is to monitor the pressure at which cold water is delivered from the mains water supply.
- a further pressure sensor can be introduced into the cold-water supply line upstream of coupling 62, and in particular upstream of any pressure reducing arrangement within the premises.
- the processor can then continually or periodically monitor the supplied water pressure, and even prompt the owner/user to seek compensation from the water supply company if the water main supplies water at a pressure below the statutory minimum.
- the electrical heating unit 68 which is under the control of the processor mentioned previously, may comprise a resistive or inductive heating arrangement whose heat output can be modulated in accordance with instructions from the processor.
- the processor is configured to control the electrical heater, based on information about the status of the phase-change material and of the heat pump.
- the electrical heating unit 68 has a power rating of no more than lOkW, although under some circumstances a more powerful heater, e.g., 12kW, may be provided.
- a temperature transducer 76 is provided after the electric heater 68, for example at the outlet of the electric heater 68 to provide information on the water temperature at the outlet of the hot water system.
- a pressure relief valve 77 is also provided in the hot water supply, and while this is shown as being located between the electric heater 68 and the outlet temperature transducer 76, its precise location is unimportant - as indeed is the case for many of the components illustrated in Figure 6.
- a pressure transducer 79 and or a flow transducer 81 can be used by the processor to detect a call for hot water - i.e. detect the opening of a controllable outlet such as a tap or shower.
- the flow transducer is preferably one which is free from moving parts, for example based on sonic flow detection or magnetic flow detection.
- the processor can then use information from one or both of these transducers, along with its stored logic, to decide whether to signal to the heat pump to start. It will be appreciated that the processor can call on the heat pump to start either based on demand for space heating (e.g.
- Control of the heat pump may be in the form of simple on/off commands but may also or alternatively be in the form of modulation (using, for example, a ModBus).
- a trio of transducers are provided along the cold-water feed pipe 64: a temperature transducer 78, a flow transducer 80, and a pressure transducer 82.
- Another temperature transducer 84 is also provided in pipe 66 intermediate the outlet of the output-side circuit 16 of the heat exchanger 12 and the electric heater 68.
- a magnetic or electrical water conditioner 86 Also shown on the cold water supply line 64 are a magnetic or electrical water conditioner 86, a motorised and modulatable valve 88 (which like all the motorised valves may be controlled by the processor mentioned previously), a non-return valve 90, and an expansion vessel 92.
- the modulatable valve 88 can be controlled to regulate the flow of cold water to maintain a desired temperature of hot water (measured for example by temperature transducer 76).
- Valves 94 and 96 are also provided for connection to external storage tanks for the storage of cold and heated water respectively.
- a double check valve 98 connects cold feed pipe 64 to another valve 100 which can be used with a filling loop to connect to previously mentioned valve 52 for charging the heating circuit with more water or a mix of water and corrosion inhibiter.
- Figure 6 shows various of the pipes crossing, but unless these crossing are shown as nodes, like node 20, the two pipes that are shown as cross do not communicate with each other, as should by now be clear from the foregoing description of the Figure.
- the heat exchanger 12 may include one or more additional electrical heating elements configured to put heat into the thermal storage medium. While this may seem counter intuitive, it permits the use of electrical energy to pre-charge the thermal storage medium at times when it makes economic sense to do so, as will now be explained.
- an electric heater By incorporating an electric heater into an energy storage unit, such as a heat exchanger of systems according to the disclosure, it becomes possible for consumers to take advantage of periods of low-cost supply and to reduce their reliance on electrical power at times of high energy prices. This not only benefits the individual consumer, but it is also beneficial more generally as it can reduce demand at times when excess demand must be met by burning fossil fuels.
- the processor of the interface unit has a wired or wireless connection (or both) to a data network, such as the Internet, to enable the processor to receive dynamic pricing information from energy suppliers.
- the processor also preferably has a data link connection (e.g., a ModBus) to the heat pump, both to send instructions to the heat pump and to receive information (e.g., status information and temperature information) from the heat pump.
- the processor has logic which enables it* to learn the behaviour of the household, and with this and the dynamic pricing information, the processor is able to determine whether and when to use cheaper electricity to pre-charge the heating system.
- This may be by heating the energy storage medium using an electrical element inside the heat exchanger, but alternatively this can be by driving the heat pump to a higher-than-normal temperature - for example 60 Celsius rather than between 40 and 48 Celsius.
- the efficiency of the heat pump reduces when it operates at higher temperature, but this can be taken into account by the processor in deciding when and how best to use cheaper electricity.
- the local system processor can benefit from external computing power. So, for example the manufacturer of the interface unit is likely to have a cloud presence (or intranet) where computing power is provided for calculations of, for example, predicted: occupancy; activity; tariff (short/long); weather forecasts (which may be preferable to generally available weather forecasts because they can be pre-processed for easy use by the local processor, and they may also be tailored very specifically to the situation, location, exposure of the property within which the interface unit is installed); identification of false positives and/or false negatives.
- a cloud presence or intranet
- weather forecasts which may be preferable to generally available weather forecasts because they can be pre-processed for easy use by the local processor, and they may also be tailored very specifically to the situation, location, exposure of the property within which the interface unit is installed
- a scalding protection feature may take the form of providing an electrically controllable (modulatable) valve (such as valve 560 of Figure 5) to mix cold water from the cold-water supply into hot water as it leaves the output circuit of the heat exchanger.
- an electrically controllable (modulatable) valve such as valve 560 of Figure 5
- Figure 6 shows schematically what might be considered the "guts" of the interface unit but does not show any container for these "guts".
- An important application of interface units according to the disclosure is as a means to enable a heat pump to be used as a practical contributor to the space heating and hot water requirements of a dwelling that was previously provide with a gas-fired combination boiler (or which might otherwise have such a boiler installed), it will be appreciated that it will often be convenient both to provide a container both for aesthetics and safety, just as is the case conventionally with combi boilers.
- any such container will be dimensioned to fit within a form factor enabling direct replacement of a combi boiler - which are typically wall mounted, often in a kitchen where they co-exist with kitchen cabinets.
- curved surfaces may be used for any or all of the surfaces of the container
- suitable sizes may be found in the approximate ranges: height 650mm to 800mm; width 350mm to 550mm; depth 260mm to 420mm; for example, 800 mm high, by 500mm wide, and 400mm deep.
- interface units according to the disclosure with respect to gas combi boilers is that while the containers of the latter generally have to be made of noncombustible materials - such as steel, due to the presence of a hot combustion chamber, the internal temperatures of an interface unit will generally be considerably less than 100 Celsius, typically less than 70 Celsius, and often less than 60 Celsius. So, it becomes practical to use flammable materials such a wood, bamboo, or even paper, in fabricating a container for the interface unit.
- interface units do not require a flue for exhaust gases. So, for example, it becomes possible to configure an interface unit for installation beneath a kitchen worktop, and even to make use of the notorious dead spot represented by an under-counter corner. For installation in such a location the interface unit could actually be integrated into an under-counter cupboard - preferably through a collaboration with a manufacturer of kitchen cabinets. But greatest flexibility for deployment would be retained by having an interface unit that effectively sits behind some form of cabinet, the cabinet being configured to allow access to the interface unit. The interface unit would then preferably be configured to permit the circulation pump 36 to be slid out and away from the heat exchanger 12 before the circulation pump 36 is decoupled from the flow path of the input-side circuit.
- interface units designed for wall mounting although potentially beneficial whatever the application of the interface unit, it will often be desirable to design the interface unit as a plurality of modules. With such designs it can be convenient to have the heat exchanger as one of the of modules, because the presence of the phase-change material can result in the heat exchanger alone weighing more than 25kg. For reasons of health and safety, and in order to facilitate one-person installation, it would be desirable to ensure that an interface unit can be delivered as a set of modules none of which weighs more than about 25 kg.
- Such a weight constraint can be supported by making one of the modules a chassis for mounting the interface unit to a structure.
- a chassis by which the other modules are supported, can first be fixed to the wall.
- the chassis is designed to work with the positions of existing fixing points used to support the combi boiler that is being replaced. This could potentially be done by providing a "universal" chassis that has fixing holes preformed according to the spacings and positions of popular gas combi boilers. Alternatively, it could be cost effective to produce a range of chassis each having hole positions/sizes/spacings to match those of particular manufacturer's boilers.
- the heat exchanger module and the chassis module are configured to couple together. In this way it may be possible to avoid the need for separable fastenings, again saving installation time.
- an additional module includes first interconnects, e.g., 62 and 74, to couple the output side circuit 16 of the heat exchanger 12 to the in-building hot water system.
- the additional module also includes second interconnects, e.g. 38 and 24, to couple the input side circuit 14 of the heat exchanger 12 to the heat pump.
- the additional module also includes third interconnects, e.g. 42 and 28, to couple the interface unit to the heat circuit of the premises where the interface unit is to be used.
- phase change materials are paraffin waxes which have a solid-liquid phase change at temperatures of interest for domestic hot water supplies and for use in combination with heat pumps.
- paraffin waxes that melt at temperatures in the range 40 to 60 Celsius, and within this range waxes can be found that melt at different temperatures to suit specific applications.
- Typical latent heat capacity is between about 180kJ/kg and 230kJ/kg and a specific heat capacity of perhaps 2.27Jg -1 K 1 in the liquid phase, and 2.1Jg -1 K 1 in the solid phase. It can be seen that very considerable amounts of energy can be stored taking using the latent heat of fusion. More energy can also be stored by heating the phase change liquid above its melting point.
- a suitable choice of wax may be one with a melting point at around 48 Celsius, such as n-tricosane C23, or paraffin C20-C33.
- Applying the standard 3K temperature difference across the heat exchanger gives a heat pump liquid temperature of around 51 Celsius.
- allowing a 3K temperature drop we arrive at a water temperature of 45 Celsius which is satisfactory for general domestic hot water - hot enough for kitchen taps, but potentially a little high for shower/bathroom taps - but obviously cold water can always be added to a flow to reduce water temperature.
- phase change material with a lower melting point may be considered, but generally a phase transition temperature in the range 45 to 50 is likely to be a good choice.
- a phase transition temperature in the range 45 to 50 is likely to be a good choice.
- Heat pumps for example ground source or air source heat pumps
- the maximum AT (the difference between the input and output temperature of the fluid heated by the heat pump) is preferably kept in the range of 5 to 7 Celsius, although it can be as high as 10 Celsius.
- salt hydrates are also suitable for latent heat energy storage systems such as the present ones.
- Salt hydrates in this context are mixtures of inorganic salts and water, with the phase change involving the loss of all or much of their water. At the phase transition, the hydrate crystals are divided into anhydrous (or less aqueous) salt and water.
- Advantages of salt hydrates are that they have much higher thermal conductivities than paraffin waxes (between 2 to 5 times higher), and a much smaller volume change with phase transition.
- a suitable salt hydrate for the current application is NazSzCh.SHzO, which has a melting point around 48 to 49 Celsius, and latent heat of 200/220 kJ/kg.
- n-henicosane C24 which has a melting point around 40 Celsius
- n-docosane C21 which has a melting point around 44.5 Celsius
- n-tetracosane C23 which has a melting point around 52 Celsius
- n-pentacosane C25 which has a melting point around 54 Celsius
- n-hexacosane C26 which has a melting point around 56.5 Celsius
- n-heptacosane C27 which has a melting point around 59 Celsius
- n-octacosane C28 which has a melting point around 64.5 Celsius
- n-nonacosane C29 which has a melting point around 65 Celsius
- n-triacosane C30 which has a melting point around 66 Celsius
- n-henicosane C24 which has a melting point around 40 Celsius
- n-docosane C21 which has a melting point around 44.5 Celsius
- RT 70 HC which has a melting point around 69 to 71 Celsius.
- a salt hydrate such as CHsCOONa.BI-hO - which has a melting point around 58 Celsius, and latent heat of 226/265 kJ/kg may be used.
- the thermal energy store has largely been described as having a single mass of phase change material within a heat exchanger that has input and output circuits each in the form of one or more coils or loops. But it may also be beneficial in terms of rate of heat transfer for example, to encapsulate the phase change material in a plurality of sealed bodies - for example in metal (e.g. copper or copper alloy) cylinders (or other elongate forms) - which are surrounded by a heat transfer liquid from which the output circuit (which is preferably used to provide hot water for a (domestic) hot water system) extracts heat.
- metal e.g. copper or copper alloy
- the output circuit which is preferably used to provide hot water for a (domestic) hot water system
- the heat transfer liquid may either be sealed in the heat exchanger or, more preferably, the heat transfer liquid may flow through the energy store and may be the heat transfer liquid that transfers heat from the green energy source (e.g. a heat pump) without the use of an input heat transfer coil in the energy store.
- the input circuit may be provided simply by one (or more generally multiple) inlets and one or more outlets, so that heat transfer liquid passes freely through the heat exchanger, without being confined by a coil or other regular conduit, the heat transfer liquid transferring heat to or from the encapsulated PCM and then on to the output circuit (and thus to water in the output circuit).
- the input circuit is defined by the one or more inlets and the one or more out for the heat transfer liquid, and the freeform path(s) past the encapsulated PCM and through the energy store.
- the PCM is encapsulated in multiple elongate closed-ended pipes arranged in one or more spaced arrangements (such as staggered rows of pipes, each row comprising a plurality of spaced apart pipes) with the heat transfer fluid preferably arranged to flow laterally (or transverse to the length of the pipe or other encapsulating enclosure) over the pipes - either on route from the inlets to the outlets or, if an input coil is used, as directed by one or more impellers provided within the thermal energy store.
- spaced arrangements such as staggered rows of pipes, each row comprising a plurality of spaced apart pipes
- the heat transfer fluid preferably arranged to flow laterally (or transverse to the length of the pipe or other encapsulating enclosure) over the pipes - either on route from the inlets to the outlets or, if an input coil is used, as directed by one or more impellers provided within the thermal energy store.
- the output circuit may be arranged to be at the top of the energy store and positioned over and above the encapsulated PCM - the containers of which may be disposed horizontally and either above an input loop or coil (so that convection supports energy transfer upwards through the energy store) or with inlets direction incoming heat transfer liquid against the encapsulated PCM and optionally towards the output circuit above.
- the or each impeller is magnetically coupled to an externally mounted motor - so that the integrity of the enclosure of the energy store is not compromised.
- the PCM may be encapsulated in elongate tubes, typically of circular cross section, with nominal external diameters in the range of 20 to 67 mm, for example 22 mm, 28 mm, 35mm, 42mm, 54mm, or 67mm, and typically these tubes will be formed of a copper suitable for plumbing use.
- the pipes are between 22mm and 54mm, for example between 28mm and 42mm external diameter.
- the heat transfer liquid is preferably water or a water-based liquid such as water mixed with one or more of a flow additive, a corrosion inhibitor, an anti-freeze, a biocide, - and may for example comprise an inhibitor of the type designed for use in central heating systems - such as Sentinel X100 or Fernox Fl (both RTM) - suitably diluted in water.
- the PCM may be encapsulated in a plurality of elongate cylinders of circular or generally circular cross section, the cylinders preferably being arranged spaced apart in one or more rows. Preferably the cylinders in adjacent rows are offset with respect to each other to facilitate heat transfer from and to the heat transfer liquid.
- an input arrangement is provided in which heat transfer liquid is introduced to the space about the encapsulating bodies by one or more input ports which may be in the form of a plurality of input nozzles, that direct the input heat transfer liquid towards and onto the encapsulating bodies fed by an input manifold.
- the bores of the nozzles at their outputs may be generally circular in section or may be elongate to produce a jet or stream of liquid that more effectively transfers heat to the encapsulated PCM.
- the manifold may be fed from a single end or from opposed ends with a view to increasing the flow rate and reducing pressure loss.
- the heat transfer liquid may be pumped into the energy store 12 as the result of action of a pump of the green energy source (e.g. a heat pump or solar hot water system), or of another system pump, or the thermal energy store may include its own pump. After emerging from the energy store at one or more outlets of the input circuit the heat transfer liquid may pass directly back to the energy source (e.g. the heat pump) or may be switchable, through the use of one or more valves, to pass first to a heating installation (e.g. underfloor heating, radiators, or some other form of space heating) before returning to the green energy source.
- the encapsulating bodies may be disposed horizontally with the coil of the output circuit positioned above and over the encapsulating bodies.
- one or more impellers are arranged within the energy store 12 to propel energy transfer liquid from around the input coil 14 towards the encapsulation bodies.
- the or each impeller is preferably coupled via a magnetic drive system to an externally mounted drive unit (for example an electric motor) so that the enclosure of the energy store 12 does not need to be perforated to accept a drive shaft - thereby reducing the risk of leaks where such shafts enter the enclosure.
- an externally mounted drive unit for example an electric motor
- the PCM is encapsulated it becomes readily possible to construct an energy store that uses more than one phase change material for energy storage, and in particular permits the creation of an energy storage unit in which PCMs with different transition (e.g. melting) temperatures can be combined thereby extending the operating temperature of the energy store.
- transition e.g. melting
- the energy store 12 contains one or more phase change materials to store energy as latent heat in combination with a heat transfer liquid (such as water or a water/inhibitor solution).
- a heat transfer liquid such as water or a water/inhibitor solution
- a plurality of resilient bodies that are configured to reduce in volume in response to an increase in pressure caused by a phase change of the phase change material and to expand again in response to a reduction in pressure caused by a reverse phase change of the phase change material are preferably provided with the phase change material within the encapsulation bodies (they may also be used in energy banks using "bulk" PCMs as described elsewhere in this specification.
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Abstract
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Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP22709033.9A EP4288713A1 (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2022-02-07 | Heating installations, methods and systems |
JP2023547560A JP2024508666A (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2022-02-07 | Heating equipment, methods and systems |
AU2022215955A AU2022215955A1 (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2022-02-07 | Heating installations, methods and systems |
CN202280023747.1A CN117063018A (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2022-02-07 | Heating installation, method and system |
KR1020237030398A KR20230158481A (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2022-02-07 | Heating equipment, methods and systems |
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GB2101678.7 | 2021-02-07 | ||
GBGB2101678.7A GB202101678D0 (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2021-02-07 | Methods and systems and apparatus to support reduced energy and water usage |
GB2109600.3A GB2603824B (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2021-07-02 | Methods and systems and apparatus to support reduced energy and water usage |
GB2109599.7 | 2021-07-02 | ||
GB2109598.9 | 2021-07-02 | ||
GB2109596.3A GB2603550B (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2021-07-02 | Energy storage arrangement and installations |
GB2109597.1A GB2603551B (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2021-07-02 | Energy storage arrangements and installations including such energy storage arrangements |
GB2109594.8 | 2021-07-02 | ||
GB2109597.1 | 2021-07-02 | ||
GB2109593.0 | 2021-07-02 | ||
GB2109594.8A GB2604668B (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2021-07-02 | Methods and systems and apparatus to support reduced energy and water usage |
GB2109598.9A GB2603552B (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2021-07-02 | Energy storage arrangements and installations |
GB2109599.7A GB2603553B (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2021-07-02 | Energy storage arrangement and installations |
GB2109600.3 | 2021-07-02 | ||
GB2109596.3 | 2021-07-02 | ||
GB2109593.0A GB2603976B (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2021-07-02 | Methods of configuring and controlling hot water supply installations |
GB2111076.2 | 2021-08-02 | ||
GB2111076.2A GB2604951B (en) | 2021-02-07 | 2021-08-02 | Heating installations, methods and systems |
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Cited By (1)
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