Abstract
Building air-conditioning (cooling) is the single largest use of electricity, driving increases in summer peak electric demand in much of the United States. Increases in peak load on the utility grid lead to high electricity prices, power quality problems, and grid system inefficiencies and even failures. Improved air-conditioning technology thus has the greatest potential impact on the electric grid compared to other technologies that use electricity. Thermally-activated systems, such as natural gas engine-driven heat pumps, can provide overall peak load reduction and electric grid relief for summer peak demand.
This study describes the performance of a 10 refrigeration ton (RT) natural gas engine-driven heat pump rooftop unit in a controlled environment over a wide range of operating conditions in heating and cooling modes. Results showed gas COP exceeding the goal of 1.6 at 47�F (8.3�C) rating condition. Gas COP in cooling mode also exceeded the goal of 1.2 at 95�F (35�C) rating condition. Future work will investigate additional applications for gas engine-driven equipment, such as residential space conditioning.
