Ice-Source heat pumps: Sustainable heating solutions for urban areas utilizing water and gas networks

Achieving net-zero emissions in residential heating requires sustainable alternatives to gas-powered systems and effective use of existing gas infrastructure. This study introduces ice-source heat pumps, leveraging the latent heat of fusion for efficient heating combined with innovative water transmission methods. The system offers advantages such as compact design, cost-effectiveness, and reduced electricity consumption without requiring new piping infrastructure. While slightly less efficient than water-source systems, ice-source heat pumps reduce water consumption by 37.56 times, with minimal thermal losses, making them highly effective during peak cold periods. For an average UK residential unit, the water distribution network capacity required is 2.3 times greater than the potable water network for average monthly use and 4.88 times greater under peak conditions without auxiliary systems. The feasibility of repurposing gas pipelines after phasing out natural gas was also examined. Results show repurposed pipelines can provide water transfer capacities equal to 39.66 % of the energy previously supplied by natural gas during peak demand, making this approach valuable for non-fuel heating systems.