DEMO14 - COOLab

The energy transition towards an emission-free future requires comprehensive measures. The mobility and electricity transition is progressing through electrification and renewable energies. The heat transition, i.e. climate-neutral heating and cooling, is supported by heat pumps. Compressor-based heat pumps are central, but do not reach the Carnot limit, which defines the theoretical maximum efficiency of a heat engine cycle. There is potential for increasing efficiency and a need for alternative, emission-free technologies.

Solid-state heat pumps, such as electrocaloric heat pumps, are promising. They are quiet and environmentally friendly, but have not been extensively researched. The electrocaloric effect enables reversible temperature changes through electric fields. Electrocaloric heat pumps are complex and interdisciplinary and therefore not very accessible to date. A mobile technology demonstrator aims to address this issue.

Aim

The project aims to create a mobile and miniaturized research laboratory for an electrocaloric heat pump that demonstrates the underlying principles of power electronic and electro-thermal energy conversion in an easily understandable way.

The research laboratory’s target group is schoolchildren, people interested in STEM studies, students, researchers and the general public.

The project is part of the "Smart converters for emission-free mobility of the future" research group at the Institute for Electrical Energy Conversion (iew), University of Stuttgart, which is investigating how electrical energy converters can be made more efficient, sustainable and intelligent.

Future fields of application for electrocaloric heat pumps for heating and cooling include, for example, the air conditioning of electric vehicles (interior, battery), data centers, food or building and room air conditioning.

Approach

• Construction of a miniaturized heat regenerator (thermo-mechanical subsystem) from electrocaloric components
• Construction of efficient power electronics (electrical subsystem) for cyclic charging/discharging of electrocaloric capacitors
• Design of a mobile research laboratory that illustrates the basic principles of the underlying electrical and electrothermal energy conversion as a miniaturized overall system.

Benefit

• Motivation, recruitment and training of specialists in the fields of engineering, STEM and electrical engineering
• Innovation and contribution to the accelerated energy transition
• Networking of research (universities, ICM, other institutes), industry, SMEs and startups