ECO-GHP

Multi-criteria assessment and optimization of geothermal heat pump systems

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The use of shallow geothermal energy is continuously rising and, in particular, the application of vertical ground source heat pump (GHP) systems is expanding. Such applications are attractive for their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while offering economic advantages in comparison to fossil-fuel based space-heating. Single GHP systems are well established for small residencies. Growing interest is directed towards bigger scale applications with galleries of multiple GHPs, for which much less experience exists and little research on appropriate planning and design is available. During the proposed reintegration phase at the Engineering Geology Institute at the ETH Zurich, a three-year project is planned that develops an innovative computer-based assessment/optimization methodology. It benefits from the previous Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship by setting up a state-of-the-art full environmental assessment procedure according to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standards. Further, it contrasts the LCA-based evaluation of GHP systems with respect to different impact categories with technico-economic criteria. The different criteria will be quantified in a flexible manner for a broad range of multiple GHP configurations. By implementation of the assessment procedures into a mathematical optimization problem, optimal GHP gallery design and operation will be computed. The methodology will allow categorising sensitive status, design and control parameters with respect to various, potentially contradicting criteria. In the final phase, demonstration to two prominent real cases is planned in order to show applicability and to examine the potential of the new approach to improve current multiple GHP system planning practice.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

For individual dwellings, geothermal heat pump technology is a cost-efficient route to providing heating and hot water. Thanks to an EU-funded project, new computer techniques enable branching out this technology to large buildings.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Using earth as a natural energy source, ground-source heat pumps (GHPs) are increasingly gaining in popularity, offering lower energy costs and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Such systems typically employ a heat exchanger in contact with the ground or groundwater to extract or dissipate heat. Vertical GHPs are amongst the most popular.

Scientists initiated the EU-funded project ECO-GHP (Multi-criteria assessment and optimization of geothermal heat pump systems) to successfully scale GHP technology from individual homes to larger buildings. Innovative computer-based assessment and optimisation methodologies enable designing the optimal configuration of multiple GHPs. The methodology approach includes evaluations of life-cycle assessment of different GHP configurations and techno-economic criteria.

Employing linear programming methods and evolutionary algorithms combined with numerical and analytical computing, scientists studied various hypothetical and realistic scenarios. These involved existence or absence of groundwater flow, as well as homogeneous and heterogeneous hydrogeological conditions. In addition, they inspected GHP fields of different sizes, with seasonally variable heating and cooling energy demands.

The team found that the optimal GHP configuration was on field edges instead of being installed in lattice frameworks, thus enhancing lateral conductive heat provision. Simulations confirmed improvement over conventional practice.

ECO-GHP introduced a robust methodology that can be applied to various geological conditions for planning and operating multiple GHPs. Properly designed and installed, these systems offer an attractive alternative to fossil fuel-based space heating.