Power and heat for residential buildings – systematic approach to energy generation
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When you need heat, you can actually generate electricity at the same time –– and reduce costs and environmental pollution in the process. What enables enormous savings both financially and on energy in commerce and industry is no longer unusual for owners of private residential buildings. Using the principle of combined heat and power generation, Viessmann makes this lucrative and resource-saving form of energy generation available for the domestic sector. Find out which products make this possible and what you need to make it happen.
Highest energy efficiency through coordinated systems
Viessmann thinks in terms of systems and offers the complete range for heating and power generation from a single source. The following Viessmann power and heat systems can be combined in various ways:
- Power-generating systems with each other, such as the Vitovalor fuel cell heating system with a photovoltaic system
- Hybrid heat generators with power-generating systems such as photovoltaics
- Power storage unit as a supplement to any of the above
ViCare: energy management for heat and power
Cutting through the complexity: with the help of energy management through the ViCare app, you have an overview of all the components and energy flows of your heat and power-generating system.
Micro CHP unit with fuel cell – the driving force in your home
Cogeneration is the underlying principle by which heat and power are produced. Here, the mechanical energy of the engine and the thermal energy (heat) released are used in equal measure. In the form of a micro CHP unit, this principle is put into practice in the Vitovalor fuel cell heating system from Viessmann. Formerly known as the Vitovalor 300-P, the product range currently consists of the Vitovalor PA2, which is a supplementary unit for existing heating systems, and the fully comprehensive Vitovalor PT2 solution. Both versions were developed in cooperation with Panasonic and represent the latest generation of fuel cells available for use in detached and two-family houses.
Benefits of the fuel cell:
Here are the benefits of the Vitovalor fuel cell heating system at a glance:
Futureproof heating with hydrogen and natural gas
Ideal supplement or sole heating system
Greater independence from rising electricity prices thanks to self-generated power
Up to 40 percent lower energy costs
Climate-friendly due to reduced CO2 emissions
Photovoltaics and power storage units*
The heat-led Vitovalor only produces electricity when heat is needed at the same time. As this is less the case in the summer months, the electricity production of the Vitovalor decreases during this time. The system can therefore be supplemented with a photovoltaic system (PV system) so that the household is supplied with sufficient electricity even on hot days. If the Vitovalor in combination with a photovoltaic system produces more power than necessary, the surplus can also be exported to the public grid –– or stored in a battery.
Benefits of the Vitovalor with photovoltaics and a power storage unit:
Here are the benefits at a glance of combining a PV system and a power storage unit:
Standalone power supply increases independence from local electricity providers
Falling electricity costs, as the self-generated power is cheaper than that from electricity suppliers
Use of a power storage unit significantly increases self-consumption
Positive for climate protection, as transport routes are eliminated
Gas powered CHP units for large residential buildings
Like the fuel cell, a combined heat and power unit, or CHP unit for short, works on the principle of cogeneration. It has a gas combustion engine which drives a generator to produce electricity. The heating system, designed for a high output, is ideal for large residential buildings and housing complexes. As a "team player" among electricity and heat-generating systems, it shares the generation of heating energy and hot water with a boiler.
The Viessmann Vitobloc CHP unit can be precisely adjusted to the requirements of residential buildings and integrated into a tailor-made system. As a result, all options are open: from integration into the entire system technology to coupling with a refrigeration unit.
The benefits of a CHP unit for residential buildings at a glance:
What are the benefits of a combined heat and power unit in the home? Here is a brief overview:
Heat is fed into the heating network with practically no losses
You generate electricity tailored to your own needs
Electricity can be exported to the public grid
At a glance: The Viessmann product range for heat and power
Find the right heating system
Choosing the right heating system from the available options is not always easy. It is a good idea to ask an experienced installer for help with the decision, because they know the individual requirements well. Getting an overview of what the Viessmann portfolio offers is advisable before making a consultation appointment. We recommend the Viessmann product catalogue for this purpose. Extensive filter options, for example according to application area of the relevant technology, will make your search simple and productive. You will also receive concrete and detailed product suggestions when searching via the Viessmann product finder.
