Optimization of a hybrid heating system combining an air source heat pump and water storage in northwest China

In order to address the issue of inadequate heating in the northwest region of China, a hybrid heating system combining an air source heat pump and water storage is proposed. The proposed operation strategy and heating regulation mode are implemented in a water storage heating system and a hybrid heating system combining air source heat pump and water storage constructed using TRNSYS software. The optimization design is carried out with the annual cost value as the objective function. As a case study, the results demonstrate that the initial investment of the water storage thermoelectric boiler heating system increases with the increase of the heat storage ratio, while the annual operating cost decreases with the increase of the heat storage ratio. When the increased equivalent annual cost during the heating season exactly offsets the reduced annual operating cost, the optimal heat storage ratio is achieved. Furthermore, the optimal system is discussed. From the standpoint of comprehensive economic and energy conservation, the hybrid heating system exhibits notable advantages.