Investigation and determination of the geothermal parameters of the ground in Cyprus for the exploitation of geothermal energy and the impact of the results in the design of the geothermal systems

The Energy Service of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism has the overall responsibility for Energy matters in Cyprus and specifically for preparing and implementing programmes for energy conservation, the promotion of renewable energy sources (RES) and the development of technologies for the utilization of RES. The Government of Cyprus being aware of the benefits of geothermal energy and in order to increase the share of energy from renewable sources consumed in heating and cooling in 2020, promotes the geothermal energy systems through a Scheme that provides financial incentives for the utilization of RES for heating and cooling. However, the lack of valid data for the ground thermal properties in Cyprus was one of the main obstacles for the design of efficient geothermal systems, the implementation of the Schemes in the field of geothermal energy and the calculation of the share of energy from renewable sources for heating and cooling according to the methodology defined by the E.U in the directive 2009/28/EC. In an effort to identify suitable energy efficient systems for heating and cooling of buildings and the correct calculations of their contribution to the national targets, the Energy Service participated in a project founded by the Research Promotion Foundation of Cyprus to investigate and determine the geothermal parameters of the ground of Cyprus at six representative sites in Cyprus, for use in the design of ground heat exchanger applications and ground thermal storage. The paper presents the importance of the Isothermal map that helps consultants to design efficiently geothermal energy systems, calculate effectively heat losses of buildings to the ground and design the thermal energy storage equipment. The importance’s of the results are analyzed by national authorities’ experts’ point of view for evaluating geothermal applications bridging in this way the gap between technical output and commercial reality

Beyond solar radiation management – the strategic role of low-cost photovoltaics in solar energy production

This paper examines the role of renewable energy sources (RES), especially the sun, as a potential solution for solar radiation management concerns. It states how photovoltaic (PV), especially low-cost PV and other thin film technology, can be applied and what impact and share they can have on the European market – using the Cyprus market as an example of strategic implementation. The Energy Service of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism currently reports a 7.5% share (as at end of 2012) of RES in overall final energy consumption and suggests ways in which that share can increase. In the near future, PVs will be the most significant electricity source if the cost per kWh produced is further reduced, as was proven recently during the award procedures for PV systems

Geothermal properties of the ground in Cyprus and their effect on the efficiency of ground coupled heat pumps

Presented at World Renewable Energy Congress XI, 2010, 25-30 September, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesA Project funded by the Research Promotion Foundation of Cyprus was undertaken by the Cyprus University of Technology and other collaborators, to investigate and determine the geothermal parameters of the ground in Cyprus since such information is currently unavailable. The purpose of this paper is to report on the ground temperatures collected by now, at the six representative sites in relation to depth, time of the year, structure of the ground and altitude and report on their impact on the efficiency of Ground Coupled Heat Pumps. Every month since October 2009, the temperature of the ground is being recorded along the depth of the boreholes. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by the end of 2010 and geothermal information will be collected and reported for all six locations. The data collected until now clearly indicate that there is a potential for the efficient use of GCHPs in Cyprus leading to significant savings in power

The geothermal characteristics of the ground and the potential of using ground coupled heat pumps in Cyprus

The ground can be used as an energy source, an energy sink, or for energy storage and for this reason ground characteristics should be available. Therefore the purpose of this paper is to present the recorded ground temperatures at eight representative sites of Cyprus, in relation to depth, time of year, geology and altitude and discuss the efficiency of Ground Coupled Heat Pumps. The ground temperature was recorded for a period of one year, from October 2009 to October 2010. According to the results obtained, in several locations in Cyprus the surface zone reaches a depth of 0.5 m. The shallow zone penetrates to 7–8 m and there after the deep zone follows in which the temperature remains constant throughout the year with a range between 18 and 23 °C. For the eight boreholes, additional geothermal data were also recorded like the type of ground and thermal conductivities of the various geologic layers. The data collected clearly indicate that there is a potential for the efficient use of Ground Coupled Heat Pumps (GCHPs) in Cyprus leading to significant savings in heating and cooling energy consumptio

Comparison of the thermal characteristics and temperature profile of the ground in Cyprus with other Mediterranean countries

The purpose of this study is to record and compare the ground temperatures and other thermal characteristics of the ground at eight representative sites in Cyprus with other studies both in the island and the nearby Mediterranean countries. Paul Morgan in the 1970s measured the geothermal gradient in 33 boreholes in Cyprus. Since then, the thermal behaviour of the ground has not been sufficiently studied and recorded, especially in inhabited areas, resulting in limited information for the design of ground heat exchangers and its effect on the efficiency of Ground Coupled Heat Pumps (GCHPs). As simulation studies indicate the ground temperature is one of the main system parameters that affect the performance of GCHPs. Measurements carried out on the representative locations in Cyprus show that the surface zone reaches a depth of 0.5m. The shallow zone penetrates to 7-8 m and there after the deep zone follows. Also the temperature of the ground at the deep zone has a range between 18-23 °C and is usually higher than that of the ambient air during the cold months of the year and lower during the warm months, showing suitable temperatures for the efficient use of GCHPs. Ground temperatures in Cyprus are lower than those examined in Jordan and higher than the ones in Portugal

Temperature Profiles and Thermal Properties of the Ground in Cyprus, for Use in the Design of Ground Heat Exchangers

The objective of this project is to investigate and determine the geothermal parameters of the ground in Cyprus, for use in the design of ground heat exchanger applications and ground thermal storage. Especially for the case of Cyprus, warm climate and the mild weather conditions in relation to other countries, provide a valuable set of conditions for the development of such energy systems. One of the specific objectives of the project is to investigate and accurately define the ground thermal properties in Cyprus so as to provide all interested in this technology, with actual ground data. Such information is currently unavailable. Different kinds of geological structures are being investigated as well. Subsequently, neural networks will be used for the generation of geothermal maps that will show the temperature distribution at 3 different depths. In this way and for the first time, the geographical area of Cyprus will be covered and valid data will be available. The purpose of this paper is to report the information collected at six representative sites of Cyprus and prepare a map depicting the thermal characteristics of the ground in Cyprus