CO2-Neutral Generation of Heat and Power in Smart Homes by Organic Rankine Cycle Powered Combined Heat and Power Micro Plants

Abstract

CO2 is the main determining factor for global climate change. For this reason, the emissions of this gas have to be reduced as much and as quickly as possible. This paper discusses the possibility to realize a CO2-neutral heat and power supply for single and multi-family homes. There have been a lot of studies in the past, as well as several unsuccessful-attempts to commercialize such a system. However, this paper presents a new and simple 1 kWel setup for a smart combined heat and power (CHP) plant offers solutions for the deficiencies of previously published and demonstrated systems. A commercial pellets firing system is linked with an organic Rankine cycle (ORC), which is built with mass-produced parts. In addition, inexpensive and proven-in-use hot-water storage tanks are used as an energy buffer and for storage, resulting in reduced investment costs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that it is necessary to embed such a system into a smart home environment in order to achieve an efficient and profitable setup.