Harmonic performance of heat-pumps

Abstract

Reverse cycle air-source heat-pumps are an increasingly significant load in New Zealand and in many other countries. This has raised concern over the possible impact wide-spread use of heat-pumps will have on the grid. To analyse this impact, models are needed to enable system studies to be performed. In this paper, the results from testing six heat-pumps are presented. The heat-pumps are classified based on observed performance. Moreover, the heat-pumps’ designs are investigated and power system computer aided design/electromagnetic transient program for DC (PSCAD/EMTDC) models developed and verified against the measured performance.

Keywords

• harmonic analysis
• heat pumps
• load (electric)
• power grids
• heat-pump harmonic performance
• reverse cycle air-source heat-pump
• New Zealand
• power grid
• PSCAD-EMTDC model