Joint project: BioHybrid — Development of a biomass-based hybrid system with system-supporting operation; Sub-project: Integration of biomass-based heat generators into the hybrid system

The energy transition is the social project of the Federal Republic of Germany in the coming years. It has been politically decided that fossil fuels should no longer be used for heating buildings. Technologically, heat pump technology is increasingly becoming the focus of attention. Here it seems that especially electrically operated devices with ambient air as heat source prevail. However, the disadvantage of this technology is that the efficiency of the energy supply decreases with increasing system temperatures on the user side. At the same time, the efficiency decreases with a reduced heat source temperature (e. g. air). In addition, this effect is combined under cold weather conditions. Against this background, hybrid solutions based on biomass can be an interesting supplement to heat pump technology. If biomass use can be limited to the times that are most beneficial to the energy system, a sufficient supply of sustainably produced biomass can be ensured even in the medium term. In the planned research project, this topic will be addressed and a system controller will be developed that optimally coordinates the use of heat pumps and biomass systems from two different manufacturers. For this purpose, new development tools are to be created on the basis of digital twins, with which online analyses and optimisations are possible. In addition, the system controller is to receive new functionalities. It is planned to integrate a CO2 budget system and additional quality criteria for heat supply (exergetic consideration). In order to ensure a high functional promise for the hybrid system, the development of a manufacturer-independent interface and data point concept is also planned. The research project is being carried out by renowned partners from the heating technology sector. SOLARvent, Kermi and the German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ - Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum) and the Technical University of Dresden are involved as partners.