GROUND-MED Demonstration Project
October 6th, 2009Valencia University
Type of building:
Existing university building comprising seminar rooms, laboratories, offices and workshops
Purpose:
Heating and cooling
Heat pump system:
An existing ground source heat pump (heating capacity 17 kW, cooling capacity 15 kW) with six vertical borehole heat exchangers, will probably replaced by a Hiref heat pump (heating capacity 20 kW, cooling capacity 18 kW), system to be optimized
Distribution system:
Fan coil units
More information:
Office building in Aachen (Case Study)
September 24th, 2009An electrically driven ground source heat pump system is used for heating and cooling an efficient office building with flexible room concept built in the year 2002 in Aachen. The heat source consists of 28 borehole heat exchangers with a depth of 42 meters each. In summertime the building is conditioned by free cooling via the borehole heat exchangers. The control concept was optimized continuously over a five years monitoring period. In the year 2007 a Seasonal Performance Factor (SPF) of 4,3 was reached.
| Country | Germany |
| City | Aachen |
| Client name | VIKA Ingenieur GmbH |
| Application area | Building sector |
| Year of construction | 2002 |
| Heat pump type | Electric heat pump |
| Year of installation | 2002 |
| Operation mode | Monovalent |
| Purpose | Heating and cooling |
| Heat source system | Borehole heat exchanger (vertical) |
| Contact name | Bernhard Frohn |
| Contact E-mail | B.Frohn@vika.de |
| Contact website | http://www.vika.de |
| Supported by | German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology |
Project description
Photo: The new office building lies on the edge of a “solar housing estate” in the German town of Aachen and follows the energy specifications for the residential buildings of the estate.
The compact, four-storey office building without cellar has a north-south orientation. The large surfaced floor plan without load-bearing interior walls allows a flexible subdivision. Five parties currently use the building with approx. 100 workplaces in total. In theory, up to eight units would be possible per floor.
The reinforced concrete skeleton construction with load-bearing precast concrete facades was, for the most part, prefabricated. The building shell was therefore finished within 8 weeks and the whole building within 9 months. The high standard of insulation is in line with the construction method of a passive house but only reaches an average U-value of 0,48 W/m2K. This is, among other things, a result of the glazing in the slightly-heated staircase which, however, is located inside the insulated envelope, with a U-value of 1,6 W/m2K. The outer walls are insulated with 20 cm mineral wool and faced with square tiles ventilated at rear. The windows in the office zones consist of triple glazing in thermically separated aluminium frames (UW=0,80 W/m2K). The windows account for 41% of the facade surface area. Because of the glazing’s comparatively low g-value of approx. 50 % and cooling using thermally activated concrete surfaces, exterior shading was not installed. The annual heating requirement was calculated at 39 kWh/m2 p.a. The air-tightness test of the building envelope produced an n50-value of 0,3 per hour.
Heat pump system
An electrically driven ground source heat pump is responsible for heat generation. Each of the 28 borehole heat exchangers is 42 meters deep. The heat pump supplies a buffer storage tank (900 liters) which feeds the concrete core temperature control (CCTC) with a maximum supply temperature of 28°C. The CCTC is divided into two control circuits (north and south) on each floor.
In summer, the heat is extracted from the rooms via CCTC and released into the earth by means of the borehole heat exchangers. The minimum supply temperature in summer is 18°C. In summertime the heat pump is not in operation (free cooling).
The energy requirements for cooling and heating balance each other out - the temperatures in the soil therefore do not build up during the course of the year. The borehole heat exchangers’ water circuit can also be used for cooling and heating the supply air by means of an additional heat exchanger.
Operation experiences
- The planners’ idea was a success. The operation of the building is both economically viable and energy efficient. The heat pump system can reach a high coefficient of performance because the temperature difference between the heat source and the supply is small, even with low outside temperatures. The energy equilibrium in the soil from the removal of heat in winter and the depositing of heat in summer also has a positive effect. However, evaluating several hundred measurement points over a five-year period was necessary to find the best control concept for operating the heat pump efficiently. For this, the accompanying EnOB monitoring was extremely important and will be continued.
- User satisfaction in the building is very high. It must be kept in mind, however, that today’s users were both the contractors and the planners. On the other hand, this has the advantage that they have first-hand experience of the problems occurring in the operation of the building and can optimise control parameters without great dispute about responsibility or financing and without having to schedule a lot of meetings. The idea of the building going into “series production” is today being put into practice. The same building is currently being constructed in France. A variation on the design is planned for further locations.
Costs, economic efficiency, incentives
- When constructing the building, high-quality, durable materials were used and importance was also attached to the comfort of cooling and mechanical ventilation - not necessarily the norm in offices. Nevertheless, with a net figure of 1,125 /m2 NFA (cost groups 300 and 400), the investment costs are below the average costs according to the German building cost index (BKI). This was reached because additional costs, e.g. arising from the use of geothermal energy, were compensated for by savings in other areas such as exterior sun protection. Prefabricated elements also reduced construction costs.
- Monthly energy costs for heating, cooling, air conveyance, lighting, water heating and the lifts were amounted to 0,21 /m2 for 2005. In comparable new office buildings these costs are between 0,80 €/m2 and 1,50 /m2.
- The monitoring campaign started in summer 2002. It was sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology within the scope of the key research area, EnOB - “Energy-Optimised Construction”.
Regulations, guidelines, benchmarking
At 89 kWh/m2 p.a., the primary energy characteristic value is below the target value of 100 kWh/m2 p.a as defined in the incentive programme.
Reference http://www.groundmed.eu/
UK heat pump potential greater than previously thought
August 10th, 2009As the UK Government is heading towards setting up a Renewable Heat Incentive, a Government commissioned study has significantly revised upwards the renewable heat potential offered by heat pumps. The document maintains that most renewable heat at low cost could come from the industrial and commercial/public sectors.
Research results aiming to improve the evidence base for developing the renewable heat incentive (RHI) have now been published. The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change has commissioned NERA Economic Consulting and AEA Technology to investigate how much renewable heat may be achievable under different scenarios, and at what cost in the UK. At the same time, the UK Government last week published its “UK Low Carbon Transition Plan”, according to which the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will be introduced from April 2011.
NERA study finds increased role for heat pumps and the non-residential sector
The UK supply curve for renewable heat was constructed using a financial model of heat technologies that drew on, but also went beyond, previous work conducted for Government. The technologies covered include air-source and ground-source heat pumps, biomass individual boilers and district heating, biogas heat-only combustion and injection to the gas grid, and solar thermal.
Overall there appears to be significant potential for renewable heat to supply much of the market that currently is served by fossil fuels or electric heating. A mix of technologies is likely to be required to meet the share of renewables in heat required for the UK’s renewable energy commitments. The headline findings of the study include:
- Heat pumps offer significant potential: Heat pumps and biomass boilers offer significant potential, in some cases at relatively low cost, while the unit cost of solar thermal was found to significantly exceed that of other renewable heat technologies. The findings differ from previous research, which ascribed a smaller role to heat pumps, and a larger role to solar thermal and heat-only biogas because of constraints on other technologies.
- The industrial and commercial / public sectors generally offer lower-cost opportunities: depending on growth rates, the non-domestic sectors may be able to deliver most of the renewable heat required. This finding also differs from previous work, which indicated a higher contribution from the domestic sector instead.
- Most important constraint to mass-market adoption of renewable heat is likely to be on the supply-side: high uncertainty with regards to the rate at which supply capacity for renewable heat technologies can grow will have a significant impact on the costs of delivering a specific share of renewable heat. The study indicates that, with sufficient subsidy, there is no limitation to demand-side potential to prevent a mass-market adoption of renewable heat. The most important constraint therefore may be on the supply-side
UK Government to introduce a Renewable Heat Incentive from April 2011
The study is published at the same time as the UK government publicised its UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, a comprehensive plan to move the UK onto a permanent low carbon footing and to maximise economic opportunities, growth and jobs. The document plots out how the UK will meet the cut in emissions set out in the budget of 34% on 1990 levels by 2020. According to the document, a new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) that will significantly ramp up the level of support will be available from April 2011. This will provide households, communities and businesses with payment for getting their heat from renewable sources. The scheme will cover industrial through to domestic scale heat production.
Next steps
NERA Economic Consulting is inviting comments to the study until 14 August 2009. Comments may be sent at the following address: UK_Renewable_Heat@nera.com
As mentioned in the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, the UK Government will consult on the detailed design of the Renewable Heat Incentive later this year.
Report led by Blair recognises heat pumps’ potential
August 10th, 2009A report led by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair recognises heat pumps as one of the key technologies to provide significant emissions reductions. Being a technology for which pull factors for commercial investment are required already in the short run, heat pumps could achieve significant savings if deployed in 50 to 70% of buildings in the OECD by 2050.
The Climate Group has issued a report titled “Breaking the Climate Deadlock: Technology for a Low Carbon Future”. Led by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Climate Deadlock initiative seeks to bring consensus on a new and comprehensive international climate policy framework through working with world leaders in the topic.
The report concludes that the strategy that should be adopted in Copenhagen needs to focus on existing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, including heat pumps, along with efforts to halt deforestation, which can deliver major short-term cuts in emissions. Investing in next generation technologies - carbon capture and storage, new approaches to nuclear and solar, and emerging biotech based solutions – are other proposals that will drive down emissions through to the middle of the century.
Heat pumps can reduce 0.77 GtCO2 in 2050
Heat pumps are 1 out of 17 key technologies which according to IEA’s BLUE Map Scenario will be responsible for approximately 80% of total emissions reductions needed to 2050, equivalent to 42 GtCO2. Heat pumps have the potential to provide savings of 0.77 GtCO2 (1.6% of overall energy-related emissions reduction), if the technology is deployed in 50-70% of buildings in OECD countries by 2050.
Commercial investment in heat pump technology is needed in the short run
The total global investment costs needed for the 17 key technologies identified by the IEA between now and 2050 is “significant but manageable”, reads the report. Total annual average investment for R&D, deployment and commercialisation is estimated at close to $1 trillion for both public and private investment, an equivalent to approximately 40% of global infrastructure investment or 1.4% of world GDP.
The balance between push (RD&D Investment) and pull factors (commercial investment) for key technologies is then discussed. “Between now and 2030, RD&D push is required for most technologies to drive them towards innovation. This is especially relevant for CCS, next-generation nuclear and renewable technologies. However, in the short run, pull factors for commercial investment are also required for energy efficiency, electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and heat pumps. Beyond 2030, pull factors are expected to dominate nearly all the technologies”.
For the case of heat pumps, between now and 2015, R&D, demonstration and deployment investment (market push) of about $9bn per annum is required (total investment covering both public and private sector) to drive the technology to full commercial potential. Between now and 2050, commercial investment (market push) of about $96bn per annum is required to diffuse the technology globally.
Deployment pathways for heat pumps
According to the report:
- Further RD&D is essential to improve technical and economic performance of heat pumps by 2020. Their cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency and carbon footprint can be improved by 50% between 2020 and 2030. 50-70% of buildings in OECD will need to be fitted with heat-pumping technologies by 2050.
- Half of the emissions savings from heat pumps are expected to be captured in developing countries and the other half in OECDc ountries.
- Further RD&D is needed to develop more energy-efficient, sustainable and cost-effective heat pumping technologies.
- Actions on policies are required to ensure all building codes promote energy conservation and efficiency measures.
- Most countries should have policies that recognise the benefits of heat pumps.
About the Breaking the Climate Deadlock initiative and the Climate Group
Having been the first major head of government to bring climate change to the top of the international political agenda at the Gleneagles G8 summit in 2005, Tony Blair is now leading the ‘Breaking the Climate Deadlock’ initiative, a strategic partnership with The Climate Group, through which he is working with world leaders to bring consensus on a new and comprehensive international climate policy framework.
The Climate Group is an independent NGO working internationally with business and government leaders to advance practical policies and technologies necessary to cut global emissions and drive a prosperous low carbon economy.
Los beneficios de las bombas de calor geotérmicas
April 10th, 2009
Beneficios
Las bombas de calor geotérmicas ofrecen grandes beneficios:
· Proporcionan calefacción y enfriamiento en forma simultánea a diferentes partes del mismo edificio.
· Muy silenciosas. Los usuarios no se dan cuenta cuando el sistema está en operación.
· Se pueden ajustar en diferentes zonas, donde cada zona tiene un control individual para cada habitación.
· Mayor libertad en el diseño del edificio debido a que requieren 50-80% menos espacio para instalaciones mecánicas.
· No hay equipo exterior que deba ocultarse, eliminando el vandalismo y las unidades en azoteas.
· Las tuberías tienen una expectativa de vida útil de 50 años.
· Completamente eléctricas, con lo que se evita el contratar servicios adicionales como gas u otros combustibles.
· Se prescinde de mantenimiento para calderas y enfriadores.
· El geo captador de calor no requiere mantenimiento y su duración es mayor a 40 años.
Los sistemas geotérmicos ofrecen grandes ahorros:
· Muy competitivas en inversión inicial y menor coste de operación que la mayoría de los sistemas de calefacción, ventilación y aire acondicionado.
· Ahorros de 25-50% en consumo de energía.
· Demanda pico más baja, con lo que es menor su coste de operación.
· El agua se calienta con calor residual del aire acondicionado sin incurrir en coste adicional en el verano y con un ahorro substancial en el invierno.
· Algunos proveedores de servicios ofrecen descuentos o incentivos a sus clientes que compran sistemas geotérmicos.
Los sistemas geotérmicos son ambientalmente amigables:
· Conservan recursos naturales gracias a que el control de clima es eficiente y por lo tanto disminuye las emisiones.
· Minimizan la destrucción de la capa de ozono gracias al uso de sistemas sellados de refrigeración, que raramente o nunca deben ser recargados.
· Usan circuitos subterráneos para transferir calor, no requieren ventilación externa y no contaminan el aire.
· Son muy eficientes desde el punto de vista de la energía, pues la tierra provee más del 70% de la requerida para la calefacción y el enfriamiento.
Nueva generación de tecnología de bombas de calor.
April 4th, 2009¡La nueva generación está aquí!
Desde fuera parece ser lo mismo que cualquier otra bomba de calor geotérmica, pero en su interior hay nuevas características. ¡Una nueva generación de bombas de calor geotérmicas!
La NIBE FIGHTER 1250 es la primera bomba de calor geotérmica de velocidad controlada. Con su compresor controlado invertido, cilindro integrado de agua caliente y computadora de control inteligente es nada menos que una revolución.
Esto significa que la bomba siempre se auto ajusta a los requerimientos que tenga la casa o edificio en todo momento. Cuando se requiere más calor o agua caliente la salida se incrementa, y cuando se requiere una cantidad menor, disminuye su velocidad.
Amplíe, construya una alberca, renueve..
Escoger la NIBE FIGHTER 1250 tampoco significa que usted se queda atrapado en esta tecnología. Su alta eficiencia (con un máximo de 16 KW) le permitirá ampliar su casa y agregar una alberca en el futuro sin tener que incrementar la capacidad de la bomba de calor.
Una ventaja adicional es que requiere muy poco espacio y es fácil de instalar.
* Tiene un cilindro de agua caliente integrado con capacidad de 160 litros.
* Ajusta la salida entre 4.5 y 16 KW dependiendo del requerimiento real de la casa.
* El calentador integrado de inmersión de 8 KW se conecta automáticamente como operación de reserva si algo inesperado llegare a ocurrir.
* Equipada con computadora de control para una óptima y segura operación. Información clara acerca de su estado; el tiempo de operación y todas las temperaturas en la bomba de calor se muestran en su pantalla LCD.
* Reloj integrado para programar agua caliente adicional e incrementos o descensos de temperatura.
* Preparada para su conexión a un calentador de agua adicional, recuperación de ventilación, calefacción de alberca, etc.
* Puede refrescar un los días del cálido verano usando ventiladores con elementos de convección.
Preparada para controlar dos sistemas de calefacción a diferentes temperaturas, por ejemplo, radiadores y calefactores bajo el piso.
Controle y verifique la bomba de calor a través de internet o de teléfono móvil
Instalando un módulo de comunicación se puede aumentar o disminuir la temperatura ambiente, activar agua caliente adicional o simplemente verificar que todo funciona como debería, donde quiera que usted esté en el mundo, a través de internet o de SMS. Adicionalmente, es posible conectar una alarma de movimiento o protección contra congelación con la misma simplicidad.
Para mayor conveniencia, permita a una compañía de servicio hacerse cargo de la calefacción por medio del módulo de comunicación RCU 10.
El mejor factor anual de calor en el mercado
En tanto que la bomba de calor geotérmica asegura que siempre funciona en el nivel correcto de rendimiento durante todo el año, produce el máximo beneficio y abate los costes de operación.
Un compresor inversor controlado y las bombas de circulación implican que no se requiere respaldo, lo que a su vez conduce a una mayor eficiencia anual promedio y costes de operación más bajos.
New generation of heat pump technology.
March 29th, 2009The New Generation is Here!
On the outside it appears to be the same as any other ground source heat pump, but inside there are even more new features. A new generation of ground source heat pump technology!
NIBE FIGHTER 1250 is the first complete, speed controlled ground source heat pump ever. With its inverter controlled compressor, integrated hot water cylinder and intelligent control computer it is nothing less than a revolution.
This means that the heat pump always automatically adjusts itself to the output requirements of the house has at any time. When more heat or hot water is required, the output increases, when not so much is needed, it drops to a lower speed.
Extend, build a pool, renovate …
Choosing NIBE FIGHTER 1250 does not mean you get caught up in the technology either. The high efficiency (max 16 kW) means that you can extend your house and attach a pool in the future without having to extend the heat pump’s capacity.
A further advantage is that it requires little space and is easy to install.
* Has an integrated 160 litre hot water cylinder. * Adjusts the output between 4.5 and 16 kW depending on the house’s actual requirement. * Integrated 8 kW immersion heater connects automatically as reserve operation if something unexpected should occur. * Equipped with control computer for optimum and safe operation. Clear information about status, operation time and all temperatures in the heat pump shown on LCD display. * Integrated clock for scheduling extra hot water and temperature lowering/increasing the flow line temperature. * Prepared for connection to extra hot water heater, ventilation recovery, pool heating etc. * Can cool on hot summer days using fan convectors.Prepared for control of two heating systems at different temperatures, e.g. radiators and under floor heating.
Control and check the heat pump via Internet or mobile phone
By installing a communication module you can increase or lower the room temperature, activate extra hot water or just check that everything functions as it should, where ever you are in the world, via Internet or SMS. In addition, it is possible to connect a movement alarm or freeze protection in the same simple way.
For even more convenience, allow a service company to take care of controlling the heating via the communication module RCU 10.
The market’s best annual heat factor
As the ground source heat pump ensures that it always runs at the correct performance all year round, it produces maximum benefits and lower operational running costs.
An inverter controlled compressor and circulation pumps mean that no backup is needed, which in turn, leads to a higher annual average efficiency and lower running costs.
Why GeoPro Design
February 20th, 2009GeoPro Design is a relatively new company whose strengths are in its teams experience and commitment to quality.
We have the resources, talent and experience to design and install a broad range of ground sourced heat pumps and geo exchange systems. We work closely with our clients in order to fully understand their requirements and bring together our team of project engineers, HVAC design engineers and geo exchange specialist to design the most suitable system for our clients particular needs and requirements.
At GeoPro Design, we believe that green energy is a resource that should be available to everyone. Client satisfaction is a key component in defining our culture and shaping the well being of our people on all levels. Our promise to our clients is quality and professionalism, our commitment is perfection in all that we provide.
The Benefits of Geothermal Heat Pumps
February 18th, 2009Benefits
Ground Source Heat Pumps offer great benefits:
§ Simultaneously heat & cool different parts of the same building
§ Very quiet–users do not know when the system is operating
§ Can be set up in multiple zones, with each zone having an individual room control
§ Greater freedoms in building design due to 50-80% less mechanical room space
§ No outside equipment to hide, eliminating vandalism and roof top units
§ Pipes have 50-year life expectancy
§ All electric, which eliminates multiple utility services
§ Expel boiler and chiller maintenance
§ Ground heat exchanger is maintenance free and will last 40+ years
GSHPs offer great savings:
§ Very competitive on initial costs and lower lifecycle costs than most HVAC systems.
§ Savings of 25-50% on energy consumption
§ Lower peak demand, lowering your operating costs
§ Water heated with waste heat from air conditioning at no cost in the summer and at substantial savings in the winter
§ Some utilities offer rebates or incentives to their customers who purchase GSHPs.
GSHPs are environmentally friendly:
§ Conserve natural resources by providing efficient climate control and thus lowering emissions
§ Minimize ozone layer destruction by using sealed refrigeration systems, which seldom or never have to be recharged
§ Use underground loops to transfer heat, with no external venting and no air pollution
§ Very energy efficient, with the earth providing over 70% of the energy required to heat and cool