Modeling Neighborhood-Scale Shallow Geothermal Energy Utilization - A Case Study in Berlin

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Chen ◽  
Jakob Randow ◽  
Katrin Lubashevsky ◽  
Steve Thiel ◽  
Tom Reinhardt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Model Comparison ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Fluid Temperature ◽  
Load Curve ◽  
Geothermal Heat ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Shallow Geothermal Energy ◽  
Neighborhood Scale ◽  
Set Up

<p>Nowadays, utilizing shallow geothermal energy for heating and cooling buildings has received increased interest in the energy market. Among different technologies, large borehole heat exchanger (BHE) arrays are widely employed to supply heat to various types of buildings and districts. Recently, a 16-BHE array was constructed to extract shallow geothermal energy to provide heat to the newly-developed public building in Berlin. According to the previous geological survey, different non-homogeneous sedimentary layers exist in the subsurface, with variating groundwater permeabilities and thermal parameters. To estimate the performance of the BHE array system, and its sensitivity to different subsurface conditions, as well as to determine its thermal impact to the surrounding area, a comprehensive 3D numerical model has been set up according to the Berlin BHE array project. The model is simulated for 25 years with two finite element simulators, the open source code software OpenGeoSys (OGS) and the well-known commercial software FEFLOW. In the model, an annual thermal load curve is assigned to each BHE according to the real monthly heating demand. Although the way of the implementing parameters in the two programs differs from each other and some assumptions had to be made in the model comparison, the comparison result shows that both OpenGeoSys and FEFLOW produce in good agreement. Different parameters, e.g. the Darcy velocity, the thermal dispersivity of the aquifer, the surface temperature and the geothermal heat flux are investigated with respect to their impact on the underground and BHE circulation temperature. At last, the computed underground temperature and the brine fluid temperature evolution from OGS is benchmarked with the results from the model simulated in FEFLOW. The numerical experiments show that the the ground water field has the strongest influence on the brine fluid temperature within the BHEs. When the thermal dispersivity of the aquifer is considered, the mixing effect in the aquifer leads to a higher brine fluid temperature in the BHE, indicating a better thermal recharge of the system.</p>

scholarly journals Potential and Future Prospects of Geothermal Energy in Space Conditioning of Buildings: India and Worldwide Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8428
Author(s):  
Vivek Aggarwal ◽  
Chandan Swaroop Meena ◽  
Ashok Kumar ◽  
Tabish Alam ◽  
Anuj Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Ground Source ◽  
Efficient Performance ◽  
Occupant Comfort ◽  
Generation Capacity ◽  
Air Conditioning Systems

This paper presents modern trends in geothermal energy utilization, mainly focusing on ground source heat (GSH) pumps for space conditioning in buildings. This paper focuses on India along with a general review of studies around the world. Space conditioning of a building contributes to about 40–50% of the total energy consumed in buildings and has an adverse impact on the environment and human health. The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) estimates that the demand for electricity for heating and cooling of buildings will increase by over 700% in India at current levels by 2047 with an additional 800 GW of power generation capacity needed just to meet heating and cooling needs by 2050, of which about 70% is required for the residential sector only. It further intensifies as the demand for peak electric load sharply increases in summer because of the extensive use of building air conditioning systems. Researchers across the globe have tried different cooling systems and found that some systems can offer a certain amount of energy-efficient performance, and also occupant comfort. Therefore, this article examines the geothermal potential in buildings for space conditioning by critically reviewing experimental and numerical studies along with the future prospects of GSH pumps.

scholarly journals The GRETA project: the contribution of near-surface geothermal energy for the energetic self-sufficiency of Alpine regions

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Casasso ◽  
Bruno Piga ◽  
Rajandrea Sethi ◽  
Joerg Prestor ◽  
Simona Pestotnik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Geothermal Heat ◽  
Geothermal Resources ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Alpine Regions ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Geothermal Heat Pump ◽  
Alpine Space

The Alpine regions are deeply involved in the challenge set by climate change, which is a threat for their environment and for important economic activities such as tourism. The heating and cooling of buildings account for a major share of the total primary energy consumption in Europe, and hence the energy policies should focus on this sector to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction targets set by international agreements. Geothermal heat pump is one of the least carbon-intensive technologies for the heating and cooling of buildings. It exploits the heat stored within the ground, a local renewable energy source which is widely available across the Alpine territory. Nevertheless, it has been little considered by European policies and cooperation projects. GRETA (near-surface Geothermal REsources in the Territory of the Alpine space) is a cooperation project funded by the EU INTERREG-Alpine Space program, aiming at demonstrating the potential of shallow geothermal energy and to foster its integration into energy planning instruments. It started in December 2015 and will last three years, involving 12 partners from Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia. In this paper, the project is presented, along with the results of the first year of work.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Potential Use of Shallow Geothermal Energy Source for Air Heating and Cooling in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ouzzane ◽  
M. T. Naqash ◽  
O. Harireche
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Air Cooling ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
Total Load ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Shallow Geothermal Energy ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Air Circulation

A large part of the total energy consumption in buildings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (K.S.A.), is devoted to air cooling. This leads to high electricity costs for residents and a high amount of equivalent CO2 emissions. The work presented in this paper aims at evaluating and applying shallow geothermal energy for cooling and heating to reduce cost and environmental issues in the Kingdom. The system is based on the earth-air heat exchanger (EAHE) equipped with an air circulation fan. In this study, six cities have been selected; Madinah city, where our university is located, and five other cities representing five different climatic zones. A new parameter called “geothermal percentage” is proposed to calculate the ratio of geothermal energy to the cooling/heating total load. It has been shown that the proposed system covers part of the cooling load and the total heating needs for almost all the country’s territory. However, both heating and cooling needs can be fulfilled by the EAHE for few cities such as Guriiat and Khamis, characterized by a moderate climate.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Shallow Geothermal Potential for Heating and Cooling and Its Integration in the Socioeconomic Environment: A Case Study in the Region of Murcia, Spain

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 5740
Author(s):  
Adela Ramos-Escudero ◽  
M. Socorro García-Cascales ◽  
Javier F. Urchueguía
Keyword(s):  
Specific Heat ◽  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Heat Extraction ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Ground Source ◽  
Shallow Geothermal Energy ◽  
The Cost

In order to boost the use of shallow geothermal energy, reliable and sound information concerning its potential must be provided to the public and energy decision-makers, among others. To this end, we developed a GIS-based methodology that allowed us to estimate the resource, energy, economic and environmental potential of shallow geothermal energy at a regional scale. Our method focuses on closed-loop borehole heat exchanger systems, which are by far the systems that are most utilized for heating and cooling purposes, and whose energy demands are similar throughout the year in the study area applied. The resource was assessed based on the thermal properties from the surface to a depth of 100 m, considering the water saturation grade of the materials. Additionally, climate and building characteristics data were also used as the main input. The G.POT method was used for assessing the annual shallow geothermal resource and for the specific heat extraction (sHe) rate estimation for both heating and, for the first time, for cooling. The method was applied to the Region of Murcia (Spain) and thematic maps were created with the outputting results. They offer insight toward the thermal energy that can be extracted for both heating and cooling in (MWh/year) and (W/m); the technical potential, making a distinction over the climate zones in the region; the cost of the possible ground source heat pump (GSHP) installation, associated payback period and the cost of producing the shallow geothermal energy; and, finally, the GHG emissions savings derived from its usage. The model also output the specific heat extraction rates, which are compared to those from the VDI 4640, which prove to be slightly higher than the previous one.

scholarly journals Development and testing of a novel geothermal wall system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Baralis ◽  
Marco Barla
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Shallow Geothermal Energy ◽  
Heating Mode ◽  
Existing Structure ◽  
Wall System

AbstractShallow geothermal energy systems have the potential to contribute to the decarbonization of heating and cooling demands of buildings. These systems typically present drawbacks as high initial investments and occupancy of wide areas. In this study, a novel energy wall system is proposed to overcome the limitations of conventional geothermal applications in urban areas. The system is characterized by ease of installation, low initial costs and applicability to existing buildings undergoing energy retrofitting. The paper illustrates the implementation of the prototype of such a system to an existing structure in Torino (Italy). An overview of the components is given together with the interpretation of an illustrative test carried out in heating mode. The data from both heating and cooling experimental campaigns allow us to highlight the potential of the proposed technology. The results suggest that an average thermal power of about 17 W per unit area can be exchanged with the ground in heating mode, while an average of 68 W per unit area is exchanged in cooling operations. The negligible impact on the stress–strain state of the wall and the surrounding soil thermal and hygrometric regime is also testified by the results collected. These aspects are associated with a reduced probability of interferences with other installations in highly urbanized areas, easiness of installation and affordable cost.

Benefits Analysis and Utilization Strategy for Development of Shallow Geothermal Energy: A Case Study of Tianjin

2012 ◽  
Vol 616-618 ◽  
pp. 1640-1646
Author(s):  
Ying Fu ◽  
Chao Yu Zhang ◽  
Bo Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Policy System ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Shallow Geothermal Energy ◽  
Important Means ◽  
Economy System ◽  
Utilization Strategy

As a renewable energy, shallow geothermal energy has received extensive concerns in China, and is regarded as an important means to relieve the pressure in energy supply, meet the greenhouse gas control obligations and establish a low-carbon economy system. In recent years, a series of policies and regulations for promoting the utilization of shallow geothermal energy has been issued. This paper firstly makes an analysis of the patterns and the growing trend of shallow geothermal energy utilization, and then establishes the analysis paradigms of the economic, environmental and social benefits of its utilization, taking Tianjin as a case. Finally, a policy system to promote the utilization of shallow geothermal energy is proposed.

scholarly journals Shallow geothermal energy in Denmark

1969 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 37-40
Author(s):  
Thomas Vangkilde-Pedersen ◽  
Claus Ditlefsen ◽  
Anker Lajer Højberg
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Know How ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Ground Source ◽  
Shallow Geothermal Energy

The use of shallow geothermal energy instead of fossil fuels can lead to substantial reductions in CO2 emissions. However, the use of shallow geothermal energy in Denmark is limited compared to, e.g. Sweden and Germany and we still lack know-how and experience with its use in Denmark. In co-operation with research and industry partners, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland is conducting a three-year project GeoEnergy, Tools for ground-source heating and cooling based on closed-loop boreholes (www.geoenergi.org). The objective of the project is to acquire knowledge and develop tools and best practice for the design and installation of shallow geothermal energy systems.

scholarly journals Shallow Geothermal Potential Impact on the Energy Transition. A Case Study Region of Murcia, Spain

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adela Ramos-Escudero ◽  
Isabel C. Gil-Garcia ◽  
M. Socorro Garcia-Cascales ◽  
Angel Molina-Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Ground Source Heat Pumps ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Shallow Geothermal Energy

Nowadays, it can be assured that climate change represents an environmental danger for the planet with irreparable and unpredictable consequences in case both gas emissions as well as fossil fuel dependency does not go down. Population growth and its increasingly concentration in the cities turn these areas into a major consumer of energy, mainly due to the residential and service sector in order to meet the heating and cooling demand. In this scenario of taking advanced of renewable local resources shallow geothermal energy is presented as a renewable resource that can contribute to meet this demand with high energy and gas emissions savings. In this context, this work shows the art-of-state of the energy transition to a renewable energy society in Spain by means of the use of shallow geothermal energy. It proposes a procedure to transform the current fossil fuel consumption into renewable heating and cooling by the use of Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP). The methodology used is based on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and is applied in Murcia Region, Spain. Positive results concerning gas savings emissions are expected converting shallow geothermal energy as an energy transition ally.

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