10101623Tandem high performance thermoelectric heat pumps for chilled and heated building water servicesActiveCollaborative R&DInnovate UKRefrigerants are widespread in the urban environment and are responsible for large emissions and global warming. There are now legislative and societal goals to reduce and eradicate emissions where possible. High density urban environments are responsible for over 70% of global carbon emissions and in that context, Singapore is the ideal location to implement and validate a tandem thermoelectric heat engine for both heating and cooling that would eliminate these emissions. Increased operational efficiency would also therefore save emissions from electricity generation, which in Singapore comes predominately from natural gas. At its core, this project replaces large vapour compression chiller system with a system that is decentralised and able to react immediately to the building users' demands. TCS Ltd has many years' experience using solid-state semiconductor heat pumps for cooling applications. We intend to apply our expertise to develop a tandem heat pump system that improves energy efficiency and thermal comfort. We will do this using the following system components: 1\. Existing building fan coil units will be fitted with a new thermoelectric room cooler rated at 10kW. This can be fitted in-duct, on the wall or ceiling space of the structure. 2\. A 6kW thermoelectric water heater. This improves system efficiency by utilising the energy rejected from the cooling process. 3\. A smart controller to manage both heat engines, integrated with demand-side management and building management systems to ensure sufficient hot water and cooling are available. Both heat engines (thermoelectric cooler and heater) work from existing building single or polyphase power panels. This means equipment and installation costs fall dramatically, accelerating the uptake of thermoelectric heat engine technology. The project will deliver economic and reliable products for retrofit, or inclusion in new-build properties, that dramatically improve energy efficiency and cut emissions & running costs.