METHOD FOR STORING THERMAL ENERGY FOR A HEAT PUMP INSTALLATION

摘要

Method for storing thermal energy in a combined open/closed system for improving the operation conditions of a heat pump installation employing water from e.g. a lake, a river or the like as its heat source. During the warm season, water is passed from the lake etc. through a tube system installed in bottom sediments of the lake at and/or below the level at which natural heat energy storage can occur. This results in an artificial heat energy storage in said bottom sediments. During the cold season, the lake water is passed first through said tube system to thus acquire a higher temperature and then from said tube system to said heat pump installation. Thus the water not only serves as the heat source for the heat pump but mainly serves as a heat transporting means by which heat energy is carried into the bottom sediment store in summer and is carried out of said store in winter. By optimizing the tube system layout in the bottom sediments in relation to the heating requirements typically arising during the cold season it is possible to establish a reserve of heat energy which every year is gradually consumed during the cold season and then again built up during the warm season.