E-RPL

Designer of heat pump system

for implementation of the process of recognition and validation of previous knowledge and skills acquired in non-formal and informal education

Level 1

I understand the importance of heat pump systems

What should I know?
"I have minimal knowledge of:
- main types of heat pumps (e.g. air-air, air-water, water-water);
- relationship between heat pump efficiency and source temperature. "

What skill should I have?
Participating in discussions for the feasibility study of heat pump systems within a design team, considering also geothermal energy systems combined with heat pumps.

Level 2

I can apply basic solutions for heat pump systems

What should I know?
"I have basic knowledge of:
- fundamental principles of energy and heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics;
- metrics related to energy efficiency of heat pumps (e.g. COP, EER, HSPF, SEER);
- main types of heat pumps (e.g. air-air, air-water, water-water, hybrid);
- selection of heat pump types in relation to available thermal sources (e.g. air source, ground water source, ground source);
- simple calculation methods to pre-size heat pumps (rules of thumb, graphic methods, datasheets). "

What skill should I have?
Performing simplified verifications of energy performance for alternative heat pump systems, based on input from team members and the availability of different thermal sources.

Level 3

I can propose conceptual solutions for heat pump systems and geothermal heat pumps (GHPs)

What should I know?
"Medium knowledge of:
- fundamental principles of energy and heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics;
- main regulations and technical standards on the design of heat pumps;
- metrics related to energy efficiency of heat pumps (e.g. COP, EER, HSPF, SEER);
- main types of heat pumps (e.g. air-air, air-water, water-water, hybrid);
- selection of heat pump types in relation to available thermal sources (e.g. air source, ground water source, ground source);
- integration with renewable energy sources;
- main ground water and geothermal energy systems (e.g. open vs closed, horizontal vs vertical). "

What skill should I have?
Selecting and proposing alternative solutions of heat pump systems for heating/cooling in residential buildings, specifically in relation to available energy sources (e.g. gas, electricity, water, soil). Pre-sizing the heat pump system with respect to thermal loads and for simple domestic installations (hybrid system coupled with boiler).

Level 4

I can engineer the concept design for heat pump systems and geothermal heat pumps (GHPs)

What should I know?
"Advanced knowledge of:
- fundamental principles of energy and heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics;
- all regulations and technical standards on the design of heat pumps and the use of water/ground (e.g. groundwater discharge);
- metrics related to energy efficiency of heat pumps (e.g. COP, EER, HSPF, SEER);
- all types of heat pumps in relation to available thermal sources (e.g. air source, water source, ground source);
- integration with renewable energy sources;
- main ground water and geothermal energy systems (e.g. open vs closed, horizontal vs vertical);
- heat pump system design for non residential buildings and complex energy systems;
- interaction with specialised advisors (e.g. geologist) for suitability assessment of soil composition and GHPs installation;
- cost/benefit analysis. "

What skill should I have?
Engineering solutions for heat pump systems in non residential buildings and complex installations, performing cost/benefit analysis with respect to the selected thermal source. Calculating heat loss of the heat pump system, needed capacity, mono or bivalent, energy balances, noise reduction. Interacting with specialised advisors for the assessment of soil suitability (GHP systems) and for codes and regulations regarding groundwater discharge.

Level 4

I can specify the design for heat pump systems in tender documents

What should I know?
"Advanced knowledge of:
- technical specifications of heat pump systems and their own energy performances;
- technical drawing representation;
- terminology and form for contracting purpose;
- cost/benefit analysis. "

What skill should I have?
Selecting components and technical solutions that fit specifications and demands on given quality aspects and economics related to heat pump systems, ensuring the contribution to energy saving. Writing technical documentation for contracting purpose.

Level 4

I can assure the quality of heat pump systems

What should I know?
"Advanced knowledge of:
- standards and procedures for quality assurance of heat pump systems;
- methods to evaluate quality of heat pump system installation (e.g. check-list survey, first-run inspection). "

What skill should I have?
Managing, instructing and auditing contractors on site during the realisation of the heat pump system, based on information given in tender documents and given by the designer. Giving feedbacks to the design team on design and operation suitability of the installed heat pump.

Level 4

I can commission heat pump systems to ensure operation as planned

What should I know?
"Advanced knowledge of:
- standards and procedures for commissioning and quality assurance in heat pump systems;
- support to resolution of disputes, subject to terms of the contract documents;
- methods to evaluate the operativity of installed heat pump systems (e.g. testing of the system). "

What skill should I have?
Commissioning the heat pump system after realisation, in order to check if the system fullfills all demands, fuctionality and foreseen energy performance is realised. Testing, adjusting and balancing the system under different operating conditions (full/partial loads, seasonal performance).

Level 4

I can ensure optimal operation of heat pump systems during life cycle

What should I know?
"Advanced knowledge of:
- standards and procedures for management and maintenace of heat pump systems;
- technical writing for reference and training manuals;
- methods to evaluate the operativity of installed heat pump systems (e.g. testing of the system). "

What skill should I have?
Designing the operative manual and the maintenance plan of the installed heat pump system, for the facility manager and/or for users. Instructing (the facility manager) on monitoring energy and microclimate parameters, to ensure the system achieves designed energy savings and comfort goals during its life cycle.

Level 5

I can develop new technical solutions and optimising the detailed design for heat pump systems and geothermal heat pumps (GHPs)

What should I know?
"In-depth knowledge of:
- fundamental principles of energy and heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics;
- all regulations and technical standards on the design of heat pumps and the use of water/ground (e.g. groundwater discharge);
- metrics related to energy efficiency of heat pumps (e.g. COP, EER, HSPF, SEER);
- all types of heat pumps in relation to available thermal sources (e.g. air source, water source, ground source);
- main ground water and geothermal energy systems (e.g. open vs closed, horizontal vs vertical);
- heat pump system design for NZEB, non residential buildings and complex energy systems;
- integration with domotic systems, building management systems (BMS);
- optimisation of heat pumps systems with heating/cooling passive systems and/or renewable energy sources;
- soil composition and sampling method to determine if geothermal energy can be used;
- cost/benefit analysis."

What skill should I have?
Developing and experimenting innovative solutions for heat pump systems based on emerging components and technologies (hybrid systems, alternative thermal sources), interacting with R&D department of HP companies. Pursuing integration of heat pumps with passive heating/cooling systems and building automation systems. Optimising the heat pump system exploiting renewable energy sources (e.g. integration with PV system and battery storage system). Performing detailed drawings and hydraulic schemes to define functionality and automatisation strategies. Determining construction site boundaries for GHP systems (e.g. needed area, depth) and investment costs based on type of geothermal system and ground conditions.

Disclaimer

This web application are created by the SEEtheSkills project consortium under EC grant agreement 101033743 and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. The European Commission is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.

All intellectual property rights are owned by SEEtheSkills consortium members and are protected by the applicable laws. Reproduction is not authorized without prior written agreement. The commercial use of any information contained in this document may require a license from the owner of that information.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101033743

E-RPL

Designer of heat pump system

Disclaimer

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