Heat pumps as a sustainable bridge for global heating and cooling at multi-scale

Abstract

Heat pump sales have surged recently, indicating a major shift in energy solutions, particularly for heating supply. However, the related cooling load demands are often disregarded. The complicated function of heat pumps, which can provide heating and cooling simultaneously, as well as their potential for further integration into numerous production processes, represents a vast and still untapped potential. This potential is ready for investigation beyond the present wave of adoption. Therefore, we suggest a reconceptualization of heat pumps, highlighting their versatility and crucial role in energy transition, fostering interdisciplinary research, and enhancing multi-scale use. The goal is to facilitate the deep adoption of heat pumps, ultimately contributing to a net-zero, reliable energy infrastructure, thereby effectively handling diverse thermal demands across multiple scales, thus paving a path towards a more sustainable future.