A new online resource outlines the technical features and defining differences of dozens of heat pump technologies. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has developed the framework — dubbed a heat pump taxonomy — in an effort to forge consistent classifications that will help prospective adopters more accurately compare the performance and other nuances of a range of different options available in the market.
More than 50 institutional stakeholders contributed to the initial taxonomy, which focuses on heat pumps used as primary heating equipment in buildings. The results are mapped out in an interactive chart that categorizes technologies by:
- fuel drivers (electric, thermal, hybrid or other);
- source (air, ground/water);
- sink (hydronic or air-based distribution); and
- product characteristics.
Each point in the chart is connected to fact sheets that summarize the technology’s features, applications and regional markets where it’s commonly available. In future, the IEA anticipates the taxonomy could be applied to other sectors and functions, such as heat pumps for cooling.
“Tracking and analyzing the pace of heat pump deployment compared to that of conventional heating technologies is essential for understanding future needs with regards to energy demand, investments in electricity infrastructure and fuel supply,” the IEA maintains. “Advancing towards a common taxonomy supports cross-country comparability and facilitates international collaboration towards strengthening the evidence base for policy making and industry planning.”
