Lead Performer: University of Central Florida – Orlando, FL; partner: Rheem – Atlanta, GA
July 13, 2020
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Lead Performer: University of Central Florida – Orlando, FL
Partner: Rheem – Atlanta, GA
DOE Total Funding: $493,660
Cost Share: $123,416
Project Term: July 1, 2020 – January 31, 2022
Funding Type: Advanced Building Construction Funding Award
Project Objective
This project will develop and demonstrate a pre-packaged integrated system for simultaneously retrofitting a home’s heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and water heating (HVACWH) systems, with built-in backup power. The photovoltaic (PV) powered grid-enhanced mechanical solution (PV-GEMS) is a scalable whole-house mechanical system retrofit solution based on high-efficiency HVACWH components, including a heat pump water heater (HPWH) and mini-split heat pump (MSHP), integrated with an alternating current (AC) assisted, off-grid PV and storage system, packaged in a self-contained enclosure that can be installed on a pad outside of a home.
Newly developed micro-inverters detect the variability of solar energy, and automatically regulate the amount of current originated from the grid to compensate for what is needed. The PV integration effectively bolsters the resource-use efficiency of the components, while storage systems coupled with advancements in microinverters and controls allow for maximum use of renewables without the need to send surplus photovoltaic energy to the grid, avoiding common grid power management problems associated with home PV systems. This solution also allows the PV and storage to power the HPWH and MSHP as “critical loads,” during grid power outages due to natural disasters or other occurrences. The prototypes developed in these projects will be installed and tested in five occupied homes.
Project Impact
This solution targets a 75% reduction in energy use intensity (EUI) for HVACWH in low-rise residential buildings in warm climates, where enclosure retrofits rarely produce that magnitude of savings. The solution can also be used as a complement to whole building retrofits conducted in other climates.
Contacts
DOE Technology Manager: Eric Werling, [email protected]
Lead Performer: Eric Martin, University of Central Florida