Analysis of CO2 emissions in the context of the application of selected heat pumps in fossil-fuel-based power systems

Abstract

In the context of the global increase in energy demand and the progressive depletion of fossil fuel resources, there is a noticeable intensification of efforts aimed at reducing the use of nonrenewable raw materials in favor of developing and implementing technologies based on renewable energy sources. This study presents the potential of heat pumps as an efficient and sustainable tool for acquiring thermal energy within heating, ventilation, and domestic hot water systems. The analysis focused on various types of lower heat sources, considering their energy performance characteristics and availability under the climatic and geographical conditions of Poland. Variants of heat pump integration with selected renewable energy carriers-ambient air, ground, and surface or groundwater were considered. Particular attention was given to two configurations of ground heat exchangers: systems with vertical borehole probes and those employing horizontal ground collectors. A well-established methodology for calculating the seasonal demand for useful energy was applied, enabling the determination of final and primary energy consumption for each analyzed scenario, including auxiliary energy demand. Subsequently, the carbon dioxide emissions generated by each considered variant were evaluated and compared with the emissions resulting from the operation of conventional heat sources – a gas boiler and district heating. The obtained results allow for the identification of the most energy-efficient and environmentally beneficial configurations, highlighting the advantages of ground-source systems over air-source solutions under Polish climatic conditions.