The university used funds to purchase a heat pump that heats and cools the campus. The heat pump does not produce heat, but transfers it from the environment to the building. In this water-to-water system, the heat source is groundwater or thermal water. Underground/thermal water has a relatively high, constant temperature throughout the year (8-15 degrees). Water is pumped from an absorption well and passes through a heat exchanger. The heat from the water heats the working fluid in the pump, which evaporates at low temperatures. An electric compressor compresses the gas, causing the pressure and temperature to increase. Electricity is consumed here, but very little compared to the energy obtained. The hot gas transfers heat to the heating system. The gas is cooled and turns back into a liquid state. The cooled water returns to the return well, without pollution or mixing with underground layers. For 1 kWh of electricity, 4-6 kWh of heat is obtained, which is extremely high.
This heat pump installed by the University of Bijeljina protects the environment:
- No combustion because no coal, fuel oil, gas or wood is used. No smoke, soot, PM particles.
- Drastic reduction of CO2. Since electricity is obtained from renewable sources, there is zero CO2 emission.
- Water is not polluted, it is used only as a heat carrier.
- No boiler noise or unpleasant odors.
- The system has a minimum lifespan of 20-30 years.
