Seawater heat pumps: A sustainable energy solution expands
Heat pumps can be used not only for heating individual buildings, but they are also employed in larger projects. One of these solutions is the use of seawater as a thermal energy source, which can provide unexpected benefits.
The operation of heat pumps requires a thermal energy source. Typically, air or ground is used, but there is also potential for other media, such as river water or seawater. For example, heat pumps have been connected to a river in Germany and can also work with seawater.
Where are marine heat pumps used?
According to the globenergia.pl service, installations based on marine heat pumps are already used in Finland, France, and Denmark. There are plans to launch a pilot system in Croatia, at the Viktor Lenac Shipyard, one of the country's largest facilities of its kind. The system is meant to provide heating and cooling for buildings in Martinscica.
What are the benefits of using marine heat pumps?
The benefits of using marine heat pumps include more efficient heating and cooling compared to standard pumps. When cooling, using heat from seawater tends to be more efficient due to more stable temperatures compared to outside air.
One of the advantages of the marine heat source is less temperature variability throughout the year, which improves thermal comfort compared to large swings in air temperature.
The application of marine heat pumps also positively affects people who do not directly use this heat source. These systems can reduce the effect of the so-called urban heat island, which results from the impact of air conditioners.
What will marine heat pumps replace?
The new heat pump in Croatia will replace existing water-to-water installations and electric boilers. The current systems have a capacity of 280 kW, including 100 kW from a heat pump drawing energy from technological water. Considered uneconomical and inefficient, the new project will replace the current system, costing about $670 million. The new solution is already in effect.
