Die LGWA engagiert sich seit Herbst 2008 in einem EU Projekt, das in zwei Stufen eingereicht wurde. Das Projekt mit dem Kürzel SmartHeat hat im ersten Halbjahr 2009 die zweite Projekteinreichungsstufe erfolgsreich genommen und wurde von der EU mit einer Punktzahl von 13,5 von 15 möglichen Punkten sehr hoch bewertet. Die Projektleitung liegt beim Chartered Institute für Plumbing und Heating Engineering, Großbritanien. Es beteiligen sich 14 europäische Institutionen am Projekt, aus Österreich neben der LGWA auch die Firma Solarfocus. Die Hauptaufgaben der LGWA in diesem Projekt werden die fachliche Beratung sowie die Verbreitung der Teil- und Endergebnisse auf nationaler Ebene sein.

Projektzusammenfassung

SmartHeat is an intelligent, modular domestic heating and hot water platform, that enables effictive integration and use of renewable energy systems. We the SME AGs, represent the European SMEs involved in the design, manufacture and installation of heating, hot water and renewable energy systems (RES).
Increasing the uptake of RES is crucial if Europe is to achieve ambitious energy and emission reduction targets. However, despite steep increases in energy prices the uptake of domestic RES is still very limited. The initial investment required means that the payback period frequently exceeds 20 years, which is a clear disincentive to homeowners. This is mainly due to the cost associated with integration of RES within domestic heating and hot water systems, and is especially relevant if a combination of RES are deployed. The efficiency of these technologies is also often limited due to the inherent mismatch between energy supply and consumption. This can be overcome by deploying a suitably sized thermal store. However, this is often difficult due to space constraints in existing homes. Furthermore, effecitve combination and use of multiple RES is complicated by the lack of standardised intelligent controls and the sheer number and types of systems available. These factors limit the appeal of RES and virtually prevent customers from adding capacity over time. The main objective of SmartHeat is to develop a platform technology for domestic heating and hot water that enables easy and cost effective integration and use of multiple RES. The key enabling technologies include: a common, intelligent control system capable of effectively utilising a combination of RES and thermal stores; a modular phase change material store that enables increased thermal storage within existing buildings. We will be able to a) demonstrate up to 50% reduction in installation costs for a combination of RES; b) a 20% performance improvement for an air source heat pump and up to 25% für a soar thermal system. As a result we will be able to reduce payback by up to 50% for a wide range of RES, heating and hot water system combinations.