建筑空调（制冷）是最大的单一用电方式，推动了美国大部分地区夏季峰值电力需求的增长。公用电网峰值负荷的增加会导致高电价、电能质量问题、电网系统效率低下，甚至出现故障。因此，与其他用电技术相比，改进后的空调技术对电网的潜在影响最大。热激活系统，如天然气发动机驱动的热泵，可以提供整体峰值负荷降低和电网缓解夏季峰值需求。本研究描述了一台制冷量为10吨（RT）的天然气发动机驱动的热泵屋顶机组在一个受控环境中，在加热和冷却模式下，在各种运行条件下的性能。 结果表明，在47°F（8.3°C）额定条件下，加热模式下的气体性能系数（COP）超过了1.6的目标。在35°C的气体冷却模式下，COP也超过了目标值（1°F）。未来的工作将研究燃气发动机驱动设备的其他应用，如住宅空间调节。单位:双引文:ASHRAE交易，第114卷，pt。2、盐湖城2008

Building air-conditioning (cooling) is the single largest use of electricity, driving increases in summer peak electric demand in much of the United States. Increases in peak load on the utility grid lead to high electricity prices, power quality problems, grid system inefficiencies, and even failures. Improved air-conditioning technology thus has the greatest potential impact on the electric grid compared to other technologies that use electricity. Thermally-activated systems, such as natural gas engine-driven heat pumps, can provide overall peak load reduction and electric grid relief for summer peak demand.This study describes the performance of a 10 refrigeration ton (RT) natural gas engine-driven heat pump rooftop unit in a controlled environment over a wide range of operating conditions, in both heating and cooling modes. Results showed the gas coefficient of performance (COP) in heating mode exceeded the goal of 1.6 at the 47°F (8.3°C) rating condition. Gas COP in cooling mode also exceeded the goal of 1.2 at the 95°F (35°C) rating condition. Future work will investigate additional applications for gas engine-driven equipment, such as residential space conditioning.Units: Dual