Design and testing of a zero-energy tiny house testbed with thermal energy storage

Renewable energy sources are increasingly prioritized for energy production at the national level to reduce fossil fuel dependence. However, a major challenge remains in energy storage, as current technologies lack environmentally friendly, efficient viable options for energy storage on the supply side. An alternative solution is demand-side storage, with Thermal Energy Storage (TES) emerging as a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial option. This thesis introduces a fully grid-independent system for space temperature regulation using a heat pump integrated with photovoltaic (PV) panels and TES. During sunlight hours, PV-generated electricity powers the heat pump, which charges a TES tank by storing thermal energy in a water tank. A small battery bank facilitates hydronic distribution of this stored energy to the conditioned space during non-PV-production periods, minimizing the need for large battery banks. The design and fabrication process of an experimental facility are detailed, including design decisions, components used, and integration challenges. An optimized model predictive controller is described. Experimental results are obtained in Stillwater, Oklahoma during high cooling load (98℉, 36.7°C) and analyzed. Further research opportunities utilizing the experimental facility, such as the possibility of phase-change material TES, optimized solar panel configuration, and TES configurations are presented. Engineering gaps in commercially available equipment, such as a heat pump capable of both cooling and heating at high ambient, are discussed to guide industry direction. This work advances demand-side TES as a viable pathway for wider renewable adoption, primarily at those sites unable to connect to the grid, but with applications for any hydronic TES residential system.