Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Building and Construction
14
Scopus Publications
248
Scholar Citations
8
Scholar h-index
6
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Performance sensitivity analysis of residential photovoltaic-driven heat pumps with energy storage Zheng Wang, Salwa Mohd Ishak, Jiechao Wei, Chunlu Liu Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 2026 Purpose This study thoroughly investigates how the performance of a PV-driven heat pump with a water storage tank and batteries is affected by various factors, including different electrical load profiles, domestic hot water (DHW) load profiles, heating elements with varying output capacities, battery capacities, and the threshold values for operating the heating elements in residential buildings. Design/methodology/approach Using a typical Australian house fitted with an integrated PV-driven heat pump and a water storage tank as a case study. Transient System Simulation (TRNSYS) is used to model the integrated system and validated using the measured hourly PV generation, house electricity consumption, and energy use of the heat pump. Findings Adjusting the electrical load profile from low to high enhances annual PV self-consumption by 12%, rising from 7% to 19%. However, the daily distribution of electrical load profiles influences the fraction of the electrical load that can be satisfied by PV energy. Variations in DHW loads can influence the PV and grid energy consumption of the integrated system, but their effect is significantly less pronounced than that of fluctuations in electrical loads, as the p-values obtained from the two-way analysis of variance for the annual PV self-consumption and self-sufficiency both exceed 0.05. The utilisation of batteries and heating elements can either store surplus PV energy or convert it into thermal energy storage for household consumption; nevertheless, the effective use of stored thermal energy is essential to prevent redundant energy storage. Originality/value These results provide researchers a better understanding of using PV-driven heat pumps with energy storage systems to attain higher levels of building electrification while providing a foundation of knowledge for residents and industry experts in determining the appropriate dimensions of the integrated system according to the energy demands of their homes.
Residential space heating electrification through a PV-driven hot water heat pump Zheng Wang, Mark Luther, Peter Horan, Jane Matthews, Chunlu Liu Energy and Buildings, 2025 As the world progresses towards decarbonisation, solutions for houses dependent on fossil fuels are required. Solar photovoltaic (PV) and heat pumps are attractive in reducing carbon emissions due to their renewable energy generation and outstanding energy efficiency. Therefore, this paper investigates the energy, economic and environmental performance of electrifying fossil fuel-based space heating systems through PV-driven hot water heat pumps. A case study was conducted on a typical Australian house with a 10 kW PV, a hot water heat pump, and a gas-ducted heater. Transient System Simulation (TRNSYS) was employed to simulate the existing space heating and hot water system (ESH): a gas ducted heater + a PV-driven hot water heat pump and the proposed space heating and hot water system (PSH): a heating tank + a heating element + fan coil units + a PV-driven hot water heat pump. The simulated space heating loads, PV generation and heat pump power consumption, were verified using actual measurements. Results demonstrated that PSH eliminated the annual gas demand of 4093 kWh needed for ESH. Additionally, the annual PV self-consumption and self-sufficiency increased by 26 % and 50 %, respectively, from the previous levels of 19 % and 29 % due to the electrification of the space heating system. After determining the optimal sizing of the heating tank and its immersed heating element based on the high PV energy utilization rule, it was discovered that a payback period of 12.3 years was required for transitioning the house from ESH to PSH with an annual carbon emission reduction of 24 %. This work demonstrated the feasibility of electrifying the conventional fossil fuel-based space heating system to fan coil units and a heating tank connected to a PV-driven hot water heat pump, thus contributing to the decarbonization of future homes.
Performance investigation of transitioning building services system in photovoltaic homes Zheng Wang, Mark Luther, Peter Horan, Jane Matthews, Chunlu Liu Journal of Building Engineering, 2024 Growing concern over residential carbon emissions has highlighted the necessity of transitioning conventional fossil fuel-based building services system into one that utilizes renewable energy sources. Therefore, this paper proposes a building services system, including an air-source heat pump, water storage tanks and batteries, for photovoltaic (PV) homes so that all their energy loads are electrified and mostly met by PV power. It aims to investigate the merits of the proposed system in relation to energy, economic and environmental performance by designing three distinct scenarios for power supply, space heating, space cooling, and domestic hot water (DHW). A typical Australian house equipped with a 10 kW solar PV system in Geelong, Victoria, is used as a case study. Three scenarios are modelled using Transient System Simulation (TRNSYS) software, and the simulated PV generation, space heating, and DHW load are validated using actual measured results. Findings show that the proposed system offsets all the natural gas demand of 6915 kWh required by Scenario 1 using the conventional fossil fuel-based system and increases the PV self-consumption and self-sufficiency from 18 % and 24 % in Scenario 1–38 % and 75 %, respectively. After adjusting component sizes following the principle of diminishing returns, the proposed system has a nine-year payback period and reduces carbon emissions by 67 % compared to the conventional system. This study demonstrates the capability of the proposed system to electrify our house loads, thus contributing to a decarbonized residential future.
Development and performance testing of a polyvalent heat pump for hot and cold water production Zheng Wang, Mark B. Luther, Antonis Siamas, Jane Matthews, Chunlu Liu Architectural Science Review, 2024 This research investigates a polyvalent heat pump that simultaneously produces hot and cold water and uses natural refrigerants. The novelty of using a 48 V direct current compressor driven by solar photovoltaic (PV) energy and the staged retrofitting improvements to this heat pump are discussed. Empirical testing has indicated that using a suction line heat exchanger yields a 30% improvement in the heating Coefficient of Performance (COP). Rising ambient temperatures could positively and negatively impact its heating and cooling performance, respectively. In addition, an average COP of 3.8 was obtained after a one-hour simultaneous mode operation, with the average hot tank temperature rising from 32.7 to 58.9°C and the average cold tank temperature dropping from 18 to 14.4°C. Being capable of operating the polyvalent heat pump under renewable energy sources and utilizing all its generated heating and cooling energy contributes further to the electrification and decarbonization of residential buildings.
Decarbonization of PV homes through services system electrification Proceedings of the International Conference of Architectural Science Association, 2024
Technical and economic analyses of PV battery systems considering two different tariff policies Zheng Wang, Mark Luther, Peter Horan, Jane Matthews, Chunlu Liu Solar Energy, 2024 Installing batteries in solar photovoltaic (PV) houses is becoming commonplace and different tariff policies give residents more options to lower their energy bills. This paper develops two rule-based control strategies to operate solar PV battery systems under fixed flat or time-of-use tariff policies, aiming to increase PV self-consumption and self-sufficiency. The battery modelling considers the charging and discharging efficiencies and the battery energy efficiency. The payback period for solar PV battery systems under the two tariff policies is also analysed considering various economic factors such as the capital cost of solar PV systems, the capital and maintenance costs of the batteries, the annual discount rate and the increases or decreases in the retail prices of grid electricity and the feed-in tariff. The analyses are conducted using actual PV energy and smart meter data from a real case study house in Geelong, Australia. Results indicate that when battery capacity is increased, PV self-consumption and self-sufficiency grow under both tariff policies, but this trend is limited by constrained PV generation due to seasonal conditions. Additionally, increasing solar PV system size for fixed battery capacity increases PV self-sufficiency, but decreases PV self-consumption. Results of economic analysis demonstrate that the payback period for a standalone solar PV system increases as its capacity grows. Moreover, the payback period for PV batteries can be slightly shorter or even longer than using solar PV systems alone under both tariff policies, which is economically unattractive. Considering the benefits that batteries can bring to residents and electricity networks, local governments need to be more proactive in providing financial subsidies for residents to install batteries.
Delivering a net zero-energy home through optimised PV system design Zemch International Conference, 2024
On-site solar PV generation and use: Self-consumption and self-sufficiency Zheng Wang, Mark B. Luther, Peter Horan, Jane Matthews, Chunlu Liu Building Simulation, 2023 As energy storage systems are typically not installed with residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, any “excess” solar energy exceeding the house load remains unharvested or is exported to the grid. This paper introduces an approach towards a system design for improved PV self-consumption and self-sufficiency. As a result, a polyvalent heat pump, offering heating, cooling and domestic hot water, is considered alongside water storage tanks and batteries. Our method of system analysis begins with annual hourly thermal loads for heating and cooling a typical Australian house in Geelong, Victoria. These hourly heating and cooling loads are determined using Transient System Simulation (TRNSYS) software. The house’s annual hourly electricity consumption is analysed using smart meter data downloaded from the power supplier and PV generation data measured with a PV system controller. The results reveal that the proposed system could increase PV self-consumption and self-sufficiency to 41.96% and 86.34%, respectively, resulting in the annual imported energy being reduced by about 74%. The paper also provides sensitivity analyses for the hot and cold storage tank sizes, the coefficient of performance of the heat pump, solar PV and battery sizes. After establishing the limits of thermal storage size, a significant impact on self-efficiency can be realised through battery storage. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a polyvalent heat pump together with water storage tanks and, ultimately, batteries to increase PV self-consumption and self-sufficiency. Future work will concentrate on determining a best-fit approach to system sizing embedded within the TRNSYS simulation tool.
A Test-cell for Building Conditioning Experimentation Proceedings of the International Conference of Architectural Science Association, 2023
A solar PV-driven heat pump for conditioning a test room Proceedings of the International Conference of Architectural Science Association, 2023
Electricity demand analysis for solar PV houses: Polyvalent heat pumps coupled with water storage tanks Proceedings of the International Conference of Architectural Science Association, 2022
Performance sensitivity analysis of residential photovoltaic-driven heat pumps with energy storage Z Wang, SM Ishak, J Wei, C Liu Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 1-23 , 2026 2026
Technical and economic analyses of grid-connected residential PV considering batteries and peer-to-peer energy sharing Z Wang, M Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Renewable Energy 252, 123494 , 2025 2025 Citations: 9
Residential space heating electrification through a PV-driven hot water heat pump Z Wang, M Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Energy and Buildings 330, 115319 , 2025 2025 Citations: 23
Energy performance of residential solar photovoltaic considering peer-to-peer energy sharing Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Proceedings of 29th International Symposium on Advancement of Construction … , 2024 2024
Achieving net zero energy homes through space heating electrification Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Proceedings of 47th Australasian Universities Building Education Association … , 2024 2024
Decarbonization of PV homes through services system electrification Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Proceedings of 57th International Conference of the Architectural Science … , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Electrification of Photovoltaic Homes Using Heat Pumps With Energy Storage Z Wang Deakin University , 2024 2024
Development and performance testing of a polyvalent heat pump for hot and cold water production Z Wang, MB Luther, A Siamas, J Matthews, C Liu Architectural Science Review 67 (4), 309-320 , 2024 2024 Citations: 8
Performance investigation of transitioning building services system in photovoltaic homes Z Wang, M Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Journal of Building Engineering 84, 108540 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
Technical and economic analyses of PV battery systems considering two different tariff policies Z Wang, M Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Solar Energy 267, 112189 , 2024 2024 Citations: 51
Transitioning from natural gas towards all electric solutions Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference, https://apvi.org.au/solar-research-confe , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
On-site solar PV generation and use: Self-consumption and self-sufficiency Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Building Simulation 16 (10), 1835-1849 , 2023 2023 Citations: 44
A Test-cell for Building Conditioning Experimentation H Do, M Luther, J Matthews, I Martek, Z Wang Deakin University , 2023 2023
A solar PV-driven heat pump for conditioning a test room Z Wang, MB Luther, HQ Do, J Matthews, C Liu Proceedings of 56th International Conference of the Architectural Science … , 2023 2023
Battery storage analysis for residential solar photovoltaic systems Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and Real … , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Radiant conditioning retrofitting for residential buildings HQ Do, MB Luther, M Amirkhani, Z Wang, I Martek Energies 15 (2), 449 , 2022 2022 Citations: 20
Electricity demand analysis for solar PV houses: Polyvalent heat pumps coupled with water storage tanks Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Proceedings of 55th International Conference of the Architectural Science … , 2022 2022 Citations: 7
Solar-powered heat pumps with energy storage system for Australian houses Z Wang, MB Luther, C Liu, M Amirkhani Proceedings of 54th International Conference of the Architectural Science … , 2021 2021
State of the art on heat pumps for residential buildings Z Wang, MB Luther, M Amirkhani, C Liu, P Horan Buildings 11 (8), 350 , 2021 2021 Citations: 69
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
State of the art on heat pumps for residential buildings Z Wang, MB Luther, M Amirkhani, C Liu, P Horan Buildings 11 (8), 350 , 2021 2021 Citations: 69
Technical and economic analyses of PV battery systems considering two different tariff policies Z Wang, M Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Solar Energy 267, 112189 , 2024 2024 Citations: 51
On-site solar PV generation and use: Self-consumption and self-sufficiency Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Building Simulation 16 (10), 1835-1849 , 2023 2023 Citations: 44
Residential space heating electrification through a PV-driven hot water heat pump Z Wang, M Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Energy and Buildings 330, 115319 , 2025 2025 Citations: 23
Radiant conditioning retrofitting for residential buildings HQ Do, MB Luther, M Amirkhani, Z Wang, I Martek Energies 15 (2), 449 , 2022 2022 Citations: 20
Performance investigation of transitioning building services system in photovoltaic homes Z Wang, M Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Journal of Building Engineering 84, 108540 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
Technical and economic analyses of grid-connected residential PV considering batteries and peer-to-peer energy sharing Z Wang, M Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Renewable Energy 252, 123494 , 2025 2025 Citations: 9
Development and performance testing of a polyvalent heat pump for hot and cold water production Z Wang, MB Luther, A Siamas, J Matthews, C Liu Architectural Science Review 67 (4), 309-320 , 2024 2024 Citations: 8
Electricity demand analysis for solar PV houses: Polyvalent heat pumps coupled with water storage tanks Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Proceedings of 55th International Conference of the Architectural Science … , 2022 2022 Citations: 7
Decarbonization of PV homes through services system electrification Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Proceedings of 57th International Conference of the Architectural Science … , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Battery storage analysis for residential solar photovoltaic systems Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and Real … , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Transitioning from natural gas towards all electric solutions Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference, https://apvi.org.au/solar-research-confe , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Performance sensitivity analysis of residential photovoltaic-driven heat pumps with energy storage Z Wang, SM Ishak, J Wei, C Liu Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 1-23 , 2026 2026
Energy performance of residential solar photovoltaic considering peer-to-peer energy sharing Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Proceedings of 29th International Symposium on Advancement of Construction … , 2024 2024
Achieving net zero energy homes through space heating electrification Z Wang, MB Luther, P Horan, J Matthews, C Liu Proceedings of 47th Australasian Universities Building Education Association … , 2024 2024
Electrification of Photovoltaic Homes Using Heat Pumps With Energy Storage Z Wang Deakin University , 2024 2024
A Test-cell for Building Conditioning Experimentation H Do, M Luther, J Matthews, I Martek, Z Wang Deakin University , 2023 2023
A solar PV-driven heat pump for conditioning a test room Z Wang, MB Luther, HQ Do, J Matthews, C Liu Proceedings of 56th International Conference of the Architectural Science … , 2023 2023
Solar-powered heat pumps with energy storage system for Australian houses Z Wang, MB Luther, C Liu, M Amirkhani Proceedings of 54th International Conference of the Architectural Science … , 2021 2021
