Feasibility of a new domestic CHP trigeneration with heat pump: I. Design and development

A new small-scale total energy system is proposed and studied. The system mainly consists of a reciprocating internal combustion engine moving an electric generator and a heat recovery system. Simultaneously, the engine drives a heat pump compressor. The heat pump is reversible and meets the summer refrigerating load and helps to meet the winter thermal demand. Such a system is able to provide electricity, heating, hot water and refrigeration autonomously over the whole year. The analysis of its performance is presented.