Sustainable and Cost-Effective Cooling: A Case Study of Night-Time Heat Pump Operation and Thermal Energy Storage Integration

Optimizing energy consumption in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is essential due to rising energy costs and environmental concerns. This study investigates the integration of a heat pump with Thermal Energy Storage (TES) to enhance energy efficiency and reduce costs in HVAC systems. A multi-phase operational strategy utilizing TES tanks was developed to enable night-time heat transfer, optimizing system performance. A case study was performed for a 300-person office in New Delhi, India, which yielded a Coefficient of Performance (COP) increase from 3.82 to 5.24, resulting in a 48.3% reduction in daily energy consumption and a 25% boost in cooling capacity by shifting heat pump operation to off-peak hours. This strategy also led to substantial annual cost savings and reduced peak-hour grid demand and carbon emissions. These findings clearly highlight the potential of TES-integrated HVAC systems as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for commercial buildings.