IEA Technology Collaboration Programme on
Heat Pumping Technologies (HPT TCP)

Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment of Heat Pumping Technologies
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

ITALY COUNTRY REPORT

Maurizio Pieve & Raniero Trinchieri (ExCo Delegates)
The HPT TCP is part of a network of autonomous collaborative partnerships focused on a wide range of energy technologies known as Technology Collaboration
Programmes or TCPs. The TCPs are organised under the auspices of the International Energy Agency (IEA), but the TCPs are functionally and legally autonomous.
Views, findings and publications of the HPT TCP do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the IEA Secretariat or its individual member countries.

2023-06-20

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Outline• Context• Market Summary• Policy & Tariffs• Innovation – R&D

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

General info - ITALY• Population ~ 59 Millions (2022)• Land Extension ~ 302,000 km2• Pop. Density ~ 195 ab./km2• Residential Buildings ~ 12.2 Millions• Households ~ 31 Millions– Main residence ~ 25.6 Mil.
• Multifam. ~ 57%• Single fam. ~ 42%
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Climatics - 2021

Heating degree days map

Min. T
Zone
A
B
C
D
E
F

Max. T
Annual average T
Source: Ispra

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

HDD

Market Summary

Italy consolidates 2nd position,
maintained for several years
Source: EHPA

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Market Summary – Insight, where such numbers come from*

Steeper trend compared toprevious years
Incentives effect (next slides…)*Only HPs used as main
space heating equipment(~ 10% of sold A/A)

Source: EHPA + Assoclima

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Is it just a matter of a ”SuperBonus effect”?
Gas boiler trend...
Superbonus mechanism (upto 110% tax deductions) as
main driver for the heating
systems market in 2021-2022

Source: Assotermica

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Is it just a matter of a ”SuperBonus effect”?
... and HP comparison
Superbonus mechanism (upto 110% tax deductions) as
main driver for the heating
systems market in 2021-2022
But HP share increased more
and more!

Source: Assotermica + Assoclima

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Policy & Tariffs
Superbonus mechanism: 2020-2022
110% tax deductions for residential buildings renovation in SF and MF
Credit transfers and direct invoice discount allowed
Requirements: The renovation should 1) increase thebuilding energy performance class by two classes at leastand 2) include at least one so called leading work among- Thermal insulation of building envelope, ≥ 25% of it;- Replacement of existing space heating system (with condensing gas boiler or HP).
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Policy & Tariffs

Note: Heat pumps (electricand gas driven), hybrid,
condensing boiler are all
eligible for incentives.

2023 Superbonus UPDATES:- New requests (after 01/01/2023) allowed for 90% tax deductions only
- No more credit transfer nor invoice discount after 16 February 2023
- For SF: access allowed only for low-income owners

Other mechanism Conto Termico: existing since 2013, updated in 2016.
900 M€ annual funding. Eligible for private (700 M€) and public (200 M€). The grantcovers 40-65% of the investment cost, depending on interventions.
If < 5,000 €, disbursement in a single installment
Furthers: Building renovations expenses: 50-65% tax deduction in 10 years
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Tariffs: recent and past years
Electricity retail (30 Millions domestic final users) market main features:• Free choice of electricity supplier since 2000’s• Current breakdown for electricity(3 kW meter, 2700 kWh annual consumption)
residential customers:
Free market 69%
Protected market 31%• Planned end of protected market:
January 2024
• 3-months basis tariff update• Protection mechanism for
Source: ARERA
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org
low-income users

Tariffs: natural gas
NG retail (20 Millions domestic final users) market main features:• Free choice of NG supplier since 2000’s• Current breakdown for NG(Milano, space heating, cooking and DHW
usage, 1400 Sm annual consumption)
residential customers:
Free market 68%
Protected market 32%• Planned end of protected market:
January 2024
• monthly tariff update (since 10/2022)• Protection mechanism for
Source: ARERA
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org
low-income users
3

Tariffs: from market to end-user – different treatments

Source: GME
END USER

Substantially similar trends

Substantially different effects!
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Space heating & DHW: consequences of using HPs or CGBs
Pairing: 5

Pairing: 4
Pairing: 3

Economic Recovery(mid 2021-2023)

Pairing: 2.5

CURRENT CONDITION
Pandemics(2020-mid 2021)

Pre-pandemics(2013-2019)www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Innovation and R&D – Many Actors
Academia

Public Research Institutions

Private Research Instit.s• Funding channels: EU & National projects www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Università Politecnica delle Marche – ref. Contact Person Alessia Arteconi
Research Topic: Flexible Heat Pumps

Development of:• Advanced simulation tools for energy flexibility
quantification• Control algorithms for energy flexibility
exploitation in multi energy systems
Related projects (H2020)• Focus both on single buildings and clusters of EU MUSE GRID: Multi Utilities Smart Energy GRIDS
buildings
TRUST:
blockchain technology for smart cities
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Università Politecnica delle Marche – ref. Contact Person Alessia Arteconi
Research Topic: Natural Refrigerants: system optimization••••

Development of an optimization framework for cycle optimization and charge reduction withnatural and flammable refrigerants (i.e. Propane)
Heat exchangers and non adiabatic capillary tube optimization
Integration of PCM storage
Focus on water cooling systems (Project funded by Blupura company)

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Università Politecnica delle Marche – ref. Contact Person Alessia Arteconi
Research Topic: High Temperature Heat pumps•

Investigation of thermodynamic properties of new refrigerant mixtures to reach up to 200° C
with a special focus on zeotropic mixtures (experimental measurements and thermodynamic
simulations).
Collaboration with KU Leuven (Belgium)5

4

p (bar)•3

2

Example: R1234ze(Z)/acetone

1

0

40

60

80

T (°C)

100

120

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

University of Udine – ref. Contact Person Giovanni Cortella
Research Topic: Optimisation of circuitry and control rules for CO2 HPs••••

Heat pumps for DHW production, about 100 kW,
Control rule for the Internal Heat Exchanger IHX in a CO2 system
Control rule for the best gas cooler pressure
Off-design conditions
HPV

IHX
Gas cooler

IBPV

Self-funded

WP
Evaporator
Compressor
Liquidreceiverwww.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

University of Udine – ref. Contact Person Giovanni Cortella
Research Topic: Commercial refrigeration systems with
HP operation for heating and DHW production
•
•

•
•

All-in-one CO2 systems for refrigeration, DHW
production, heating and coolingControl rule for transcritical operation, gas coolerpressure control, use of additional external
evaporator for the HP operation
Off-design conditions
Monitoring case study

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

University of Udine – ref. Contact Person Giovanni Cortella
Other research Topics
Coupling HPs to smart local grids••••

Modelisation of local energy communities
Thermal and electrical grids, thermal storage
Dynamic simulation of buildings, to predictheating and cooling loads
Best exploitation of electrical energy from PV
modules, thermal storage in water or in thebuilding itself

HPs for high temperature applications,with CO2 and hydrocarbons
•
•
•

•

Heat pumps for high temperatureapplications
Modelling, heat exchanger design,
prototypeCO2 and high glide mixtures CO2 hydrocarbons
Financed by National Research Project
Fund (PRIN) 2022 (not yet started)

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Politecnico di Milano – ref. Contact Persons Luca Molinaroli & Tommaso Toppi
Research Topic: Residential HPs
 Experimental analysis on low-GWP refrigerants in a dropin application (on the right: heating capacity for different
refrigerants at different leaving water temperatures).
 Development of a R290-based, small-capacity air-to-water
HP integrated with PCM thermal storage.

 Development of a compact gas-driven absorption HP
 Studies on innovative hybrid cycles for HP application in the
retrofitting market
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org
 Environmental LCAof HPs and alternative heating technologies

Politecnico di Milano – ref. Contact Persons Luca Molinaroli & Tommaso Toppi
Research Topic: Industrial HPs
 Experimental analysis of the use of CO2-hydrocarbons blends formoderately high temperature (max 120 °C) HP application(on the right: glide of R744+R600a).
 Numerical assessment of different heat pump layouts for low
pressure steam production (2 bar, 120 °C).
 Demonstration of different high temperature heat pump and heattransformer in industrial applications (EU project PUSH2HEAT:
https://push2heat.eu/)
 Experimental analysis of an adsorption chiller for low grade waste
heat recovery.
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Politecnico di Milano – ref. Contact Persons Luca Molinaroli & Tommaso Toppi
Research Topic: Modelling Development and validation of a dynamic model of air-to-water
heat pump.
 Assessment of the use of Artificial Neural Networks for fault
detection and diagnosis (on the right: example of result) Modelling of PCM storages with different integration options forspace heating and domestic hot water applications.
 Transient model of a gas driven absorption heat pump.
 Building-system integrated modelling for yearly performance
evaluations.
 Transient model of adsorption cycles and components for designand optimization purposes.
Politecnico di Milano Projects & Funding numbers:
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org
10 ongoing projects with around 1M€/y during last 5 years

EURAC Research – ref. Contact Person Roberto Fedrizzi

H2020-REWARDHEAT (COORDINATED)
•
•
•

•

15 M€ funding; 2019-2024
Scope: Optimisation of renewable and waste heat utilisation in district
heating and cooling networks
HP related objectives: development of standardised heating and coolingthermal plants and industrialised substation with optimal integration of
HP and thermal storage, and their smart control with MPC techniques
Source: e.on ectogrid
HP related results:– Database of suitable solutions and pre-design tool
– Plans of H&C thermal plants and substations and theirdemonstration
Source: Danfoss– MPC codes elaborated and implemented
Reverse flow configuration– Policy paper delivered
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

EURAC Research – ref. Contact Person Roberto Fedrizzi

H2020-HAPPENING (PARTNER – COORDINATOR TECNALIA)•

2.5 M€ funding; 2020-2024•

Scope: Development of easy to plan and to install HP systems for
retrofitted multifamily houses with at least 70% RE exploitation
HP related objectives: development of a cascaded heating system basedon the water-loop concept, coupled with PV and BESS
HP related results:– Development of water-to-air micro-HP for room installation– Development, laboratory test and demonstration of water-loopsystem– Development of MPC based strategies for the optimal
management of the system••

Source: Innova

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org
Source: Tecnozenith

EURAC Research – ref. Contact Person Roberto Fedrizzi

H2020-SPIRIT (PARTNER – COORDINATOR TNO)•

11 M€ funding; 2022 - 2026••

Scope: Development of large HPs for industrial applications
HP related objectives: SPIRIT will demonstrate three full-scale (> 700 kWth) industrial heat pumpsystems that upgrade industrial waste heat to valuable temperatures (135-160 °C). The
demonstration covers sites in the paper & pulp and food & beverage industry
HP related results:– Development of 3 large scale industrial heat pump systems– Demonstration in real industrial environment– Development of market studies and impact scenarios•

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

RSE (Energy System Research) – ref. Contact Person Lorenzo Croci

EffE Lab

Building-Lab aimed at simulating typical consumptions andperformance of a full-electric residential building. Equipped with 2
different HP- based systems (fancoil and radiant floor)
Smart Energy Manager assisting the user in the optimal and efficientmanagement of space H&C service of a full-electric building. It allows to
reduce the electricity request from the grid while increasing theperformance of space H&C devices and the self-production of electricity
Use of Machine learning techniques + Predictive Control
Funded by National Plan for System Researchwww.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

RSE (Energy System Research) – ref. Contact Person Lorenzo Croci
Research Topic: The potential of demand response
applied to HPs•••

Goal: identify and evaluate the potential of electrical
technologies to perform flexibility services, withoutcompromising the service quality provided to the end
user.
Flexibility potential of electric heat pumps wasassessed at regional level by 2021 and 2030 in Italy.
Flexibility defined as the capability of deviating froma given operating profile for a given period, using
Demand Response solutions.
Funded by National Plan for System Researchwww.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

RSE (Energy System Research) – ref. Contact Person Lorenzo Croci
Support activities for the National Regulatory
Authority for Energy, Networks and theEnvironment.
••

Comparison study on existing homes to be renovated,in different climatic zones and analysis of 8 spaceheating system solutions involving the use of naturalgas, hybrid solutions (HP+boiler), electric heat pumps
with and without PV.
Calculation of main economic indicators to evaluate,
according to many conditions and commodities priceforecasts, the economic convenience of the investment,with or without the main incentives and the energy andenvironmental advantages.
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

CNR ITAE (National Council of Research) – ref. Contact Person Andrea Frazzica
H2020 Project HYCOOL: industrial cooling through hybrid system based on solar heat
5.8 M€ FUNDING; 2018-2022 - Coordinator: Veolia Serveis Catalunya (Spain)
Partners: 16 partners from 6 countries
Main objectives: demonstration of solar cooling plants for industrial applications, based on
concentrated Fresnel solar collectors and hybrid adsorption chillers
Main results:- 2 demo cases installed in Spain in a food and a chemical company, cooling up to 40 and 80 kw- Validated SEER improvement up to 25% in cascading mode down to -10 ° C cooling supply- Use of low-GWP refrigerants (propane and propylene) for the hybrid chillers

Cascade industrial sorption/propylene compression(30 kW cool)

Facilities with hybrid
chiller installed insolar driven plants

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

CNR ITAE (National Council of Research) – ref. Contact Person Andrea Frazzica
H2020 Project GEOFIT: Deployment of novel geothermal systems, technologies andtools for energy efficient building retrofitting
7.9 M€ FUNDING; 2018-2022 - Coordinator: R2M (Italy)
Partners: 25 partners from 9 countries
Main objectives: to validate vapour compression and gas-driven heat pump solutions
for geothermal retrofitting in different building types and climatic conditions
Main results:- 5 demos installed and monitored for space H&C and swimming pool conditioning- Technologies validated in the lab, using low-GWP refrigerants- Thermal COP of gas-driven HP up to 1.2 for lab-scale integration

Geothermal gas-driven
adsorption HP installation ina demo in Italy

Geothermal Gas-driven HP(10 kW heat)www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

CNR ITAE (National Council of Research) – ref. Contact Person Andrea Frazzica
H2020 Project SUNHORIZON: Sun coupled innovative heat pumps
9.0 M€ FUNDING; 2018-2023 - Coordinator: RINA CONSULTING (Italy)
Partners: 20 partners from 12 countries
Main objectives: to develop and demonstrate innovative solutions for integrating solar
systems with heat pumps
Main results:- 4 demos installed and running under different configurations.
- Pre-commissioning in lab showing high flexibility in operation for the hybrid chiller config.
- Solar heating and cooling fractions up to 60%. Full monitoring by the end of 2023.
Solar cooling systeminstallation in Spain

Parallel hybrid
sorption/propane compression
chillerwww.heatpumpingtechnologies.org(40 kW cool)CNR ITC 2 (National Council of Research) – ref. Contact Person Laura Fedele
H2020 Project GEO4CIVHIC: Most easy, efficient and low cost geothermal systems for
retrofitting civil and historical buildings
Start date 01/04/2018 - Duration 68 months - Coordinator CNR – ISAC
Main objective: to develop easier to install and more efficient geothermal HPs,
with compact, innovative and tailor-made drilling machines and developing or
adapting HPs or other hybrid solutions in combination with renewable energies,
to the renovation of buildings
GEO4CIVHIC aims at accelerating the implementation of shallow geothermal
systems for H&C in the retrofitting of existing and historic buildings, throughinnovative solutions.
R454B refrigerant: Monitoring of the GSHP performance by measuring the main
thermodynamic parameters (temperatures, pressures, mass flowrate) on the
refrigerant side
www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

CNR ITC 2 (National Council of Research) – ref. Contact Person Laura Fedele
BILATERAL PROJECTS• CNR + CNRST (Centre National pour la
Recherche Scientifique et Technique –Morocco)Phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal energy
storage (TES) in industrial production processes

Experimental evaluation of new low greenhouseeffect refrigerants for heat pump applications

Goal: to investigate and develop a novel latent
heat thermal energy storage (LHTESS) system
incorporating PCMs capable of storing and utilizing
industrial waste heat at high temperatures fromdifferent industrial applications.

Goal: identifying one or more blends of low
GWP refrigerants as potential substitutes forthe current refrigerants. The energy efficiencyof the fluid(s) will be evaluated withexperimental tests on an instrumented HP.

• CNR + NRF (National Research
Foundation of Korea - South Korea)

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

CNR ITC 2 (National Council of Research) – ref. Contact Person Laura Fedele
Horizon EU Project ECHO: Efficient Compact Modular Thermal Energy Storage System
Start date 01/01/2023 – 8.1 M€ Funding - Duration 48 months - Coordinator CNR – ITC
Objective: to develop and demonstrate new modular, compact, high-performance and Plug&Play
thermal energy storage (TES) solutions for H&C and DWH.
The project will provide a key tool for thermal energy storage inthe context of sector coupling
The ECHO system will be adapted to different energy scenarios.
Furthermore, its modularity will allow it to be used at different
scales, from small apartments to larger buildings.

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

CNR ITC 1 (National Council of Research) – ref. Contact Person Silvia Minetto
H2020 Project MULTIPACK: Demonstration of thenext generation standardised integrated cooling andheating packages for commercial and publicbuildings based on environment-friendly CO2 vapour
compression cycles
Duration: 2016-2021 (closed)
Partners: 7 (coordinator NTNU)
Main focus areas:- Supermarkets- High energy demanding buildings (hotel,
gyms,..)
website https://www.ntnu.edu/multipack

H2020 Project ENOUGH: European food chain
supply to reduce GHG emissions by 2050
Duration: 2021-2025 (ongoing)
Partners: 30 (coordinator Sintef Ocean)
Main focus areas:- All links of the food chain (post farm gate)
Website https://enough-emissions.eu/

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

CNR ITC 1 (National Council of Research) – ref. Contact Person Silvia Minetto
CNR-ITC DEMONSTRATOR: ELECTRIC TRANSPORT REFRIGERATION UNIT-FRESH AND GREEN DELIVERY
Technology: Natural Working Fluid refrigeration, Renewables (Photovoltaic PV)
Goal: Electrically powered refrigeration in place of diesel motor, no synthetics
Products: all (fresh & frozen)
Chain Link: transport
Status: prototype in lab/components optimisation
First results• Design of CO2 Medium Temp +Low Temp unit with single
compression stage• Design and optimization of specific components (MT andLT ejectors), experimental tests planned• Preliminary numerical assessment of the cooling unit
performance, dynamic model under development www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

CNR ITC 1 (National Council of Research) – ref. Contact Person Silvia Minetto
CNR-ITC AND ENEX SRL DEMONSTRATOR: CO2 BLAST FREEZER
Technology: Natural Working Fluid refrigeration,
Renewables, freezing improvement
Goal: Natural working fluid based direct expansion freezer
for food processing, heat recovery
Products: meat (fish, vegetables)
Chain Link: processing
Status: prototype in lab/components optimisation
First results• Design of CO2 blast freezer with focus on technological issues
related to very low evaporation• Prototype built and ready to test
• Potential improvements under evaluationwww.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

ENEA – ref. Contact Person Raniero Trinchieri
Research Topic: HP Integrated systems• Experimental study on dual-source HP
air-ground with innovative thermal
storage (daily or seasonal)• High temperature HP proposal for building
retrofitting – test in HiL mode to simulatedifferent types of end-users (new, old buildings, etc.)

Dual-source concept in the HiL Facility
Geothermal plant construction

Project Three-year Implementation Plan (PTR 2022-2024)

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

ENEA – ref. Contact Person Raniero Trinchieri
Research Topic: HP Integrated systems• Experimental study on dual-source HP (air-solar)
with innovative PV-T panel Evaporator Concept• Test in HiL mode to simulate different types of endusers (new, old buildings, etc.)

HP with PV-T panel Evaporator concept

Project Three-year Implementation Plan (PTR 2022-2024)

PV-T Panel Installationwww.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

ENEA – ref. Contact Person Raniero Trinchieri
Research Topic: Defrost and refrigerants• Experimental study of innovative
defrosting solutions, using PCM tanks,
waste heat or internal regeneration
systems

PCM Modeling• Modeling and experimental studyof ultra-low GWP refrigerants, able
to meet the requirements of
the new F-GAS regulation

Project Three-year Implementation Plan (PTR 2022-2024)

PCM tank and system concept

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

AT A GLANCE: FURTHER ACTORS & STAKEHOLDERS
Institutions, Research, Manufacturers

HP supply chain permanent Table

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org
Universities

IT PARTICIPATION IN THE TCP ANNEXESITALY PARTICIPATES IN 3 ANNEXES (+ INTEREST IN 2 NEWS)www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

Forthcoming Initiatives & Events
Keynote by Caroline H. Stignor
on behalf of TCP

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org

IT CONTACTS

Ing. Maurizio Pieve, Ph.D.
Ing. Raniero Trinchieri
ENEA
Lab for Engineering and Systems for Energy
Decarbonization

maurizio.pieve@enea.it
raniero.trinchieri@enea.it

www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org