Systems Engineering, PhD Dissertation Defense, By: Kristen Osterwood

Title:

A Systems Engineering Perspective on the Benefits, Disadvantages, and Challenges of Converting American Domestic Heating Systems to Air Source Heat Pumps

Abstract:

Carbon emissions must be reduced to limit the catastrophic impacts of climate change. Some carbon emissions are very difficult to eliminate, but some (such as residential heating emissions) may be addressed with current technology such as Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs). But residential heating and the process of adopting relatively novel technology comprise a system that has many interconnected parts including physical, social, political, and economic attributes, which have not been systemically investigated. These non-technical issues have limited the speed of conversion to ASHPs.

Applying systems thinking to this issue illuminated two literature gaps: 1) the carbon impact of electrifying heating with ASHPs as a function of geography, current heating system, upstream emissions, and policies has not been thoroughly investigated, and 2) there are several nontechnical barriers limiting the adoption of this technology. 

This work contributes to the body of knowledge by:

1. Identifying the specific geographies and circumstances where it makes the most sense to convert to ASHPs.
2. Identifying the non-technical barriers to conversion, evaluating regions where these barriers have been overcome and providing recommendations to increase ASHP adoption

Advisor:

Prof. Jamie Monat

ECE Department, WPI

Committee Members:

Prof. Shams Bhada

ECE Department, WPI

Prof. Edvina Uzunovic

ECE Department, WPI

Prof. Paul Mathisen

Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, WPI