Component-based modeling and validation of a heat pump building system using experimental data

This thesis presents the development and simulation of a modular physically based thermal model of a building and a reversible R290 (propane) air-to-water heat pump, implemented in MATLAB/Simulink and Simscape. The work was carried out within the framework of a sector coupling project at KIT, based on a real building and heat pump located at Campus North. The building was modeled as a multi-zone thermal network representing heat transfer through the envelope, the thermal mass of structural elements and indoor air, as well as the influence of internal heat sources and solar radiation. The building model reliably reproduces indoor temperature profiles under varying operating conditions. Validation against measurement data from different seasons resulted in an average mean absolute error below 1.22 K, with all individual periods remaining below 1.8 K, confirming robustness across diverse environments. The heat pump was modeled at the component level, including the scroll compressor, the expansion valve and the heat exchangers. The target variables for the heat pump simulation were heating and cooling capacity, coefficient of performance, compressor power, and refrigerant mass flow rate. Validation against steady-state measurement data demonstrated realistic reproduction of thermodynamic behavior, with key performance indicators largely within ranges reported for comparable calibrated models. Both models were parameterized using manufacturer specifications, literature data, and measurements. The modular structure allows for future integration with additional subsystems such as thermal storage models. Together, the building and heat pump models form a robust simulation framework for analyzing integrated system behavior and optimizing energy flows in sector-coupled building systems.