Elastocaloric COoling and HEAT-pumping

Introduction

Decarbonization of the heating and cooling sector with renewables is a crucial step for the EU to achieve its energy and climate goals. Although heat pumps are considered renewable technology, they are all (as well as cooling and air-conditioning devices) based on relatively inefficient vapor-compression technology that still uses environmentally harmful refrigerants.

Regulatory Context

The Kigali Amendment mandates phasing out high-global warming potential refrigerants, such as hydrofluorocarbons, in the EU by 2036 and replacing them with eco-friendly natural refrigerants. However, natural refrigerants have their own limitations, including:

• Flammability
• Toxicity
• High operating pressure
• Lower efficiency in hot climates

Emerging Technology

Recently, elastocaloric technology has emerged as the most promising non-vapor-compression alternative. It is based on safe, environmentally benign solid-state refrigerants and may offer higher efficiency than vapor-compression.

Project Background

The ERC PoC E-CO-HEAT project evolved from the ERC StG SUPERCOOL project, in which we explored fundamental aspects of elastocaloric technology. Based on this research, we have developed a fatigue-resistant elastocaloric regenerative cooling and heating device with breakthrough performance and an efficient drive mechanism.

Project Objectives

This device serves as the foundation for the E-CO-HEAT project, with the main objective to elevate the readiness level of elastocaloric technology in various areas, including:

1. Technical aspects
2. Customer engagement
3. Business strategy
4. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

Development and Testing

After fine-tuning the elastocaloric device, it will undergo industry-relevant testing to achieve Technology Readiness Level 5 and IP protection of the most innovative solutions.

Future Plans

These achievements will form the basis for disseminating the results to our (future) potential industry partners, elaborating a comprehensive business model, and pursuing later-stage funding opportunities to further improve the readiness level of the elastocaloric technology and bring it closer to the market.