IDEAS

The objective of the European project IDEAS is to maximize the performance and the electrical and thermal self-sufficiency of buildings through the use of Phase Change Materials (PCM) in a multi-source heat pump system, in order to increase the use of renewable energy.

The University of Ferrara (UNIFE) has realized the first prototype and the first full-scale installation, integrating patented horizontal geothermal heat exchangers, experimental CPC-PV/T panels developed by Trinity College Dublin, commercial PV/T panels (300Wp in the first prototype and 400Wp in the demo-site), and a dry-cooler.

The system monitoring has shown, for the commercial PV/T panels, an electrical efficiency of up to 20% compared to equivalent PV panels, and a thermal efficiency of up to 50% of solar radiation, depending on solar exposure and incidence.