Current status of heat pumps in Norway and analysis of their performance and payback time

Abstract

A significant part of energy in Norway is utilized for space heating due to the cold climate and heat pump technology has gained popularity in the country for space heating. According to the European heat pump association, Norway has the most heat pumps per capita in Europe, providing 16 TWh of heat energy annually. This review paper discusses the most common types of heat pumps in Norway. A comparison between the performance and payback time of different types of heat pumps in Norway is presented. Ground source heat pumps are more suitable than air source heat pumps due to maintaining a higher coefficient of performance during cold periods. The amount of thermal energy extracted using ground source heat pump systems is estimated to be 3 TWh and expected to be 8 TWh by 2030. However, more than 90% of heat pump installations in Norway are air source heat pumps. Compared to air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps face many challenges, such as high initial cost, lack of public awareness, and insufficient professional workforce. The sales of heat pumps dropped by 13% in 2020, mainly due to the Covid-19 impact on the market. However, the sales increased significantly in 2021 due to the ongoing energy crisis and increase in energy prices.