A European Database of Building Energy Profiles to Support the Design of Ground Source Heat Pumps

[EN] The design of ground source heat pumps is a fundamental step to ensure the high energy efficiency of heat pump systems throughout their operating years. To enhance the diffusion of ground source heat pump systems, two different tools are developed in the H2020 research project named, Cheap GSHPs: A design tool and a decision support system. In both cases, the energy demand of the buildings may not be calculated by the user. The main input data, to evaluate the size of the borehole heat exchangers, is the building energy demand. This paper presents a methodology to correlate energy demand, building typologies, and climatic conditions for different types of residential buildings. Rather than envelope properties, three insulation levels have been considered in different climatic conditions to set up a database of energy profiles. Analyzing European climatic test reference years, 23 locations have been considered. For each location, the overall energy and the mean hourly monthly energy profiles for heating and cooling have been calculated. Pre-calculated profiles are needed to size generation systems and, in particular, ground source heat pumps. For this reason, correlations based on the degree days for heating and cooling demand have been found in order to generalize the results for different buildings. These correlations depend on the Koppen-Geiger climate scale.This work received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 657982.Carnieletto, L.; Badenes Badenes, B.; Belliardi, M.; Bernardi, A.; Graci, S.; Emmi, G.; Urchueguía Schölzel, JF.... (2019). A European Database of Building Energy Profiles to Support the Design of Ground Source Heat Pumps. Energies. 12(13):1-23. https://doi.org/10.3390/en12132496S1231213De Carli, M., Tonon, M., Zarrella, A., & Zecchin, R. (2010). 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two software tools for facilitating the choice of ground source heat pumps by stakeholders and designers

For promoting the diffusion of GSHP and making the technology more accessible to the general public, in the H2020 research project "CHeap and Efficient APplication of reliable Ground Source Heat exchangers and PumpS" (acronym Cheap-GSHPs) a tool for sizing these systems has been developed, as well as a Decision Support System (DSS) able to assist the user in the preliminary design of the most suitable configuration. For all these tools a common platform has been carried out considering climatic conditions, energy demand of buildings, ground thermal properties, heat pump solutions repository, as well as renewable energy database to use in synergy with the GSHPs. Since the aims of the tools are different, there are different approaches. The design tool is mainly addressed to designers. The calculation may be done in two ways: with a simplified method based on the ASHRAE approach and with a detailed calculation based on the numerical tool CaRM (Capacity-Resistance method). The DSS final aim is to support decision-making, by providing the stakeholders at all the level with a series of scenario. The Cheap-GSHPs project has developed a DSS tool aimed at accelerating the decision-making process of designers and building owners as well as increasing market share of the Cheap-GSHPs technologies. Hence the DSS generates different possible solutions based on a defined general problem, identifying the optimal solution. Both tools are presented in the paper, showing the potentialities provided by both software

Low and Ultra-Low Temperature District Heating Equipped by Heat Pumps—An Analysis of the Best Operative Conditions for a Swiss Case Study

The manuscript analyses the management of low and ultra-low-temperature district heating systems (DHS) coupled with centralised and decentralised heat pumps. Operative conditions are defined in order to satisfy the heating needs without overloading the electric grid. The results are achieved by dynamic simulations, based on a real DHS located in southern Switzerland. At the building level, the heating needs are estimated considering real data and simultaneous energy simulations. Two DHS configurations, alternatives to the existing one, are simulated and suitable parameters for the management of the DHS are selected. The global performance of the two DHS is evaluated by KPIs also including the flexibility and the impact on the electric peak due to heat pumps. The achieved results are discussed providing suggestions for the stakeholders involved in DHS management for an optimal matching of the electric grid and thermal networks towards a reduction of the peak power. The rule-based control strategies defined allow the expected electric peak shaving and load levelling, conversely, the yearly energy consumptions are lightly increased and have to be further investigated. The outcomes demonstrate a global better performance of the ultra-low temperature DHS in terms of response to the applied control strategies and of energy savings

An innovative application of 5GDHC: A techno-economic assessment of shallow geothermal systems potential in different European climates

Energy consumption for thermal purposes represents the most impacting energy issue in the European building sector. In addition to space heating, space cooling is constantly growing, due also to climate change, which provokes extreme hot events in summer even in moderate climates. To approach this challenge, it is essential to invest in lowering the overall energy demand, to increase the energy conversion efficiencies and to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. The research here presented deals with the European decarbonization goals and focuses on shallow geothermal technology in district thermal systems (DTS), i.e. Geo-5GDHC. The research investigates whether Geo-5GDHC can be cost-effective in different scenarios based on climatic contexts, insulation levels and the possible integration of photovoltaic and thermal technology (PVT). Through the elaboration of proper KPIs and the implementation and use of a tool specifically developed to couple a Geo-5GDHC energy assessment model with an economic analysis (PILEDHC), the research highlights results and guidelines for providing solutions for new and innovative DTS, considering both energy and economic aspects in different contexts

A method for mapping areas potentially suitable for district heating systems. An application to Canton Ticino (Switzerland)

The technical literature underlines the strategic role of district heating systems (DHS) in the decarbonization process in the European context. The main scope of this work is to develop a method for identifying areas potentially suitable for DHS, taking heat need density as the main metric. The method is tested for the case study of Canton Ticino (Switzerland) and allows analysis of the total and public building stock. This implies the collection and elaboration of energy data about public buildings, providing a dataset formerly unavailable. Because these buildings are managed by a few owners who are generally asked to be exemplary in terms of sustainability, they could have a pivotal role for the development of DHS. By using a multi-criteria and GIS- supported method, the study ensures the mapping of areas potentially suitable for DHS and renewable sources available for thermal purposes toward low carbon targets. Based on the results of the research, it is estimated that potentially 17% of the global heat needs in Canton Ticino could be satisfied by DHS, by also exploiting thermal renewable energy sources locally available. The consistency of the method was tested through a validation on the existing DHS

A method for the sustainable planning and management of ground source heat pump systems in an urban environment, considering the effects of reciprocal thermal interference

The “Most Easy, Efficient and Low Cost Geothermal Systems for Retrofitting Civil and Historical Buildings” (GEO4CIVHIC) project aims to accelerate the deployment of shallow geothermal systems for heating and cooling purposes when retrofitting existing and historical buildings. Analyzing the implementation process of borehole heat exchangers (BHEs), allows the understanding of how to promote the long-term sustainability of shallow geothermal energy systems. The thermal interference between BHE systems represents a problem, especially due to the increasing deployment of this technology and its spread in densely built-up areas. The main goal of this paper is to propose a conceptual model and to apply this to different case studies. The methodology includes phases to adopt an integrated approach for preventing long term thermal interference in neighbouring borehole heat exchangers, by providing management strategies and technical suggestions for design and operation. The method developed follows the following steps: 1) literature review to determine what are the main drivers for thermal interference between shallow geothermal systems, in the context of the GEO4CIVHIC project case study sites; 2) to create a conceptual model to limit thermal interference at both design and operational phases; 3) to apply the developed method to real and virtual case studies in countries with different regulatory frameworks and to test its main strengths and weaknesses. The application of this conceptual model to specific case studies provides evidence of critical planning and operational characteristics of GSHP systems and allows the identification of measures to mitigate impacts of thermal interference to be identified

Two software tools for facilitating the choice of ground source heat pumps by stakeholders and designers

For promoting the diffusion of GSHP and making the technology more accessible to the general public, in the H2020 research project “CHeap and Efficient APplication of reliable Ground Source Heat exchangers and PumpS” (acronym Cheap-GSHPs) a tool for sizing these systems has been developed, as well as a Decision Support System (DSS) able to assist the user in the preliminary design of the most suitable configuration. For all these tools a common platform has been carried out considering climatic conditions, energy demand of buildings, ground thermal properties, heat pump solutions repository, as well as renewable energy database to use in synergy with the GSHPs. Since the aims of the tools are different, there are different approaches. The design tool is mainly addressed to designers. The calculation may be done in two ways: with a simplified method based on the ASHRAE approach and with a detailed calculation based on the numerical tool CaRM (Capacity-Resistance method). The DSS final aim is to support decision-making, by providing the stakeholders at all the level with a series of scenario. The Cheap-GSHPs project has developed a DSS tool aimed at accelerating the decision-making process of designers and building owners as well as increasing market share of the Cheap-GSHPs technologies. Hence the DSS generates different possible solutions based on a defined general problem, identifying the optimal solution. Both tools are presented in the paper, showing the potentialities provided by both software