Transforming Residential Energy Systems Across Europe
The ITS4ZEB project aims to revolutionise energy systems, led by partners from academia and industry, including experts from Eurac Research, Innova Energie, Innova Srl, Panasonic Marketing Europe GmbH, Studio Fieschi & Soci Srl, Thermalink, and the University of Padova.
The global demand for energy has surged by 19% since 2010, with over half of this increase attributed to the building sector.
(GWP), posing risks to the environment.
The ITS4ZEB project addresses this by using propane (R290), a natural refrigerant with minimal environmental impact. This choice reflects a broader trend in sustainable development: the prioritisation of materials and technologies that reduce ecological harm. By adopting R290, ITS4ZEB aligns with european climate commitments aimed at phasing out high-GWP substances. Panasonic is currently investing in and innovating a full range of units using propane.
Overcoming Challenges
While the ITS4ZEB project showcases promising technologies, it has faced several challenges. One major hurdle has been the selection of suitable PCMs. These materials vary widely in their properties, and no single material meets all the ideal criteria. The team had to balance trade-offs such as cost, availability, safety, stability over time, and performance.
Another challenge was designing storage tanks that are both efficient and practical.
Panasonic’s existing installation and support networks support the success of these pilot installations, while the project is also developing essential documentation. This includes preliminary versions of user, installer, and service manuals, field test forms that define expected functionalities, and training materials designed specifically for plant designers.
becoming too large or cumbersome.” SINGLE
Fossil fuels still account for 80% of energy consumption, contributing significantly to climate change. In response, the European Union (EU) has set ambitious goals to reduce CO₂ equivalent emissions in an increasingly drastic manner. Projects like ITS4ZEB are crucial to achieving these targets by encouraging the use of natural fluids, such as hydrocarbons, and promoting renewable energy sources. Buildings, particularly residential ones, are some of the contributors to energy consumption. Traditional heating and cooling systems rely heavily on fossil fuels and electric current drawn from the grid, leading to high carbon footprints. The ITS4ZEB project addresses this by introducing cutting-edge technologies designed to optimise energy use and reduce dependency on non-renewable resources.
Breaking Down the Technology
An important asset of the project are the heat pumps and their integration with latent storage systems. But what are they? Professor Giulia Righetti explains, ‘Heat pumps are devices that transfer thermal energy from one location to another, allowing us to achieve highly efficient heating and cooling with a reduced primary
energy consumption.’ Heat pumps used in ITS4ZEB are designed to draw energy preferrable from renewable sources, such as wind and photovoltaic (solar) panels. The integration with tailored thermal energy storages ensures that buildings can harness clean energy for their thermal needs when this is available along the day, and store it as heat for later use.
In fact, these pumps also incorporate a key innovation; these heat pumps are designed to run and store thermal energy inside latent storages when electricity is generated from renewable sources and there is no demand from the user. Latent energy storages involve absorbing and releasing large amounts of heat in a reduced volume with respect to sensible storages at a pretty constant temperature, making the process more compact and efficient.
These storages are based on Phase Change Materials (PCMs). ‘These materials, during their phase change process between solid and liquid, and vice versa, exchange latent heat that can be used when required by the user. Currently, many PCMs are available with different transition temperatures and chemical origins. Choosing the right one is not easy, as each material has its pros and cons’. she explains. While organic materials were initially considered, the project shifted to using salt hydrates, which are composed of
water and salt, are cheaper and provide better heat transfer properties. Although these materials can be slightly corrosive and can have some stability issues, the ITS4ZEB team has developed solutions to manage these issues within the storage tanks.
Moreover, studying innovative solutions, the project aims to improve the speed at which PCMs can store and release heat. This advancement ensures that latent energy storage systems can meet both high-demand and low-demand periods effectively.
Additionally, it is possible to store heat at different thermal levels by using tanks with different PCMs. This allows the same solution to interface with various needs and different terminals, such as radiant floors, radiators, etc. This adaptability supports ITS4ZEB’s goal of providing modular and scalable energy solutions suitable for both new and retrofitted structures.
To maximise system efficiency, ITS4ZEB employs advanced control algorithms that ensure optimal interaction between the heat pump, the thermal storage unit, and the PV panels, reducing energy waste and enhancing overall performance.
Refrigerants play a crucial role in heat pumps by facilitating the transfer of thermal energy. Traditional refrigerants often have high global warming potential
Professor Giulia Righetti notes, ‘One of the critical design challenges is to develop storage tanks that can store sufficient energy to meet thermal demands without becoming too large or cumbersome.’ By experimenting with different materials and configurations, the project aims to
“One of the critical
Professor Giulia Righetti emphasises, ‘These preparations, including manuals and training, are essential to guarantee the success and smooth operation of the pilot installations.’
The project’s partners, including technology leaders like INNOVA and Panasonic, are responsible for monitoring and optimising the performance of these systems. By validating the technologies in real-world settings, ITS4ZEB aims to accelerate their path to market readiness.
The project aligns with the EU’s broader decarbonisation goals by promoting energy self-consumption and reducing grid dependency. If successful, it could serve as a model for sustainable architecture and climate control solutions worldwide.
The pilot installations also provide critical data for refining the system’s design and functionality. Insights gathered from these deployments will guide future improvements, ensuring that the technology remains adaptable to evolving energy demands and users profiles.
design challenges is to develop
storage tanks that can store sufficient energy to meet thermal demands without
develop storage solutions that are both lightweight and capable of storing more than 7 kilowatt-hours of energy.
Additionally, sourcing PCMs in large quantities posed difficulties due to limited market availability. To address this, ITS4ZEB established collaborations with material suppliers to improve production scalability. These partnerships ensure that future implementations of the technology can be both cost-effective and widely accessible.
Implementation and Impact
The ITS4ZEB project is currently in its pilot phase, with installations planned across 10 European countries. These locations have been carefully chosen to represent diverse climates, building types, and installation practices influenced by local cultural contexts. The selection process focused on several key criteria: ensuring coverage of different climatic zones, incorporating diverse cultural backgrounds among installers and designers,
LIFE iTS4ZEB
Integrated Thermal energy Storages for Zero Emission Buildings
Project Objectives
The project aims to deliver to the market a product that integrates heat pump (HP) and PCM TES technology, enabling ready-touse energy storage even in already existing installations. It features capabilities that easily detect self-consumption of PV energy, maximising the amount of energy that can be produced and consumed on-site. Additionally, it allows for demand response for smart grids without compromising comfort and ensures appropriate purchasing and maintenance costs.
Project Funding
The LIFE22-CCM-IT-LIFE ITS4ZEB Project is co-funded by the European Union’s Life Program. Project 101113714.
Project Partners
THERMALINK • STUDIO FIESCHI & SOCI • UNIVERSITÀ DI PADOVA
https://its4zeb.eu/partner/
Contact Details
Professor Giulia Righetti Associate Professor Dipartimento di Tecnica e Gestione dei Sistemi Industriali - DTG
STRADELLA SAN NICOLA, 3 - VICENZA
T: +044 4 998 777
E: giulia.righetti@unipd.it W: https://its4zeb.eu/
A Vision for the Future
The ITS4ZEB project represents more than just technological innovation; it embodies a shift towards more sustainable and resilient communities. By integrating renewable energy sources, advanced materials, and intelligent control systems, the project offers a blueprint for zero-energy buildings that can thrive in diverse climates and urban settings. Furthermore, ITS4ZEB highlights the importance of collaboration across sectors. By bringing together researchers, manufacturers, policymakers, and end-users, the project fosters a holistic approach to sustainability. This collaborative framework can serve as a template for other initiatives seeking to address global energy and climate challenges. As energy challenges continue to grow, initiatives like this project demonstrate that solutions are within reach. Through collaboration, research, and innovation, we can pave the way for a future where sustainable living is not just a goal but a reality for all.
Professor Giulia Righetti is an Associate Professor at the University of Padua. With over 100 published scientific articles, she has contributed to numerous research projects, including seven European projects. Her work focuses on energy optimisation in refrigeration, particularly two-phase heat transfer, natural refrigerants, and phase change thermal storage systems.
Professor Giulia Righetti
