The HUF HAUS using Viessmann's Ice Store energy system
Heating and refrigeration solutions manufacturer, Viessmann, has installed 'ice store system, in a UK property domestic property, the company announced this week.
The innovative system recovers energy from renewable sources to heat or cool buildings, and supplies hot water. Viessmann installed the first system in a new, sustainable housing development at HUF HAUS' UK show room near Weybridge, Surrey.
The system takes energy from ice to heat or cool the house. It supplies the energy to heat pumps for heating and hot water in the winter, and for cooling in the summer. The Viessmann system takes energy from water in its ice store. The water temperature drops and, as the energy is withdrawn, the water freezes . The system keeps on taking heat from the ice.
The innovative system recovers energy from renewable sources to heat or cool buildings, and supplies hot water. Viessmann installed the first system in a new, sustainable housing development at HUF HAUS' UK show room near Weybridge, Surrey.
The system takes energy from ice to heat or cool the house. It supplies the energy to heat pumps for heating and hot water in the winter, and for cooling in the summer. The Viessmann system takes energy from water in its ice store. The water temperature drops and, as the energy is withdrawn, the water freezes . The system keeps on taking heat from the ice.
The Viessmann Ice Store When water turns to a solid it releases latent heat. The latent heat is kept in the ice store. A standard 10 m³ ice store for a detached house generates a heat gain equivalent to about 100 litres of fuel oil and is capable of 10 kW of heating output. Because the amount of latent heat released is equivalent to that required for the inverse process of thawing, in effect there is 100% energy transfer and zero losses over time.
The system includes a 'heat source management' system in the heat pump control unit. It is programmed to take energy for heating from the ice store or from a solar air absorber on the property's roof. The ice store also takes ground heat from the surrounding area, if the ground temperature is high, to regenerate heat out of winter.
The ice store can provide natural cooling in the summer inside the building. Here, the water is allowed to fully turn to ice at the end of the heating season. Heat is then drawn from the heating system via an extraction heat exchanger and channeled into the ice store. This melts the ice and consequently cools the heating circuit within the home.
The system includes a 'heat source management' system in the heat pump control unit. It is programmed to take energy for heating from the ice store or from a solar air absorber on the property's roof. The ice store also takes ground heat from the surrounding area, if the ground temperature is high, to regenerate heat out of winter.
The ice store can provide natural cooling in the summer inside the building. Here, the water is allowed to fully turn to ice at the end of the heating season. Heat is then drawn from the heating system via an extraction heat exchanger and channeled into the ice store. This melts the ice and consequently cools the heating circuit within the home.
Viessmann’s technical director, Christian Engelke said:
“We are very pleased that HUF HAUS has selected Viessmann’s sustainable ice store heating system for its UK show home, as part of the company’s efforts to achieve zero carbon efficiency.
"The technology is being installed in hundreds of homes and businesses in Germany each year, but in bringing the system to the UK for the first time, we are able to demonstrate to UK customers that our ‘heating with ice’ system is one answer that not only works in theory but is a very real and viable solution for responsible heating for the future.”
Ice Store Basic Scheme
Lead Architect for HUF HAUS, Peter Huf said:
“The new HUF show house is the first residential property in the UK to be fitted with heating with ice technology, and the innovation that underpins the system emulates the innovative approach to architecture for which HUF HAUS is renowned.
“As an evolution on from air source and ground source heat pumps, which demand the drilling of deep bore holes, heating with ice works with HUF technology to perpetuate an ambient internal temperature regardless of the weather outside, all the while using minimal energy. By extension, it also allows clients to adapt to ever changing temperatures and geological conditions for the long term.”
The heat pump extracts energy
Find out more about the Viessmann 'Heating with Ice' system here.
