Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Renewable ... - EGEC

RenewableHeating & CoolingEuropean Technology PlatformGEO.4ObjectiveSystem concepts and applications for geothermal cooling in warm climatesShallow geothermal energy offers advantages for cooling using the ground as a heat sink.However, this by now is mainly limited to Northern and Moderate climates with a pronouncedsummer/winter temperature swing.In warm climates or in the case of applications mostly used for cooling, additional re-coolingof the ground, hybrid systems, and short-term storage options etc. need to be developed inorder to allow for sufficient share of cooling from the groundState-of-the-artTargetsType of activityCooling in shallow geothermal systems has started in areas with colder climates, where addingthis feature is relatively simple on the side of the resource. Numerous good systems show thatthe concept works well under these conditions. Unfortunately, the highest cooling demand is inwarmer climates, where ground temperatures are higher naturally, and design for high sharesof cooling is more of a challenge.• Allow shallow geothermal cooling for regions and applications not suitable by now,increase regional range of applicability to all Europe.• Increase efficiency of cooling in warm climate by 25%60% Development / 40% DemonstrationGEO.5ObjectiveState-of-the-artTargetsType of activityDevelopment of ground coupling technologies and installation techniquesfor high capacitiesWith the larger capacities required, and with the restricted area available on most building plots,improved ground coupling technologies must be developed, e.g. deeper BHE, BHE under buildings,“geoactive structures” (energy piles, parts of the building foundation as heat exchangers),or other technologies. For the work on larger construction sites, time and space restrictions are amajor problem. Improved drilling and installation techniques should be developed for work underthese conditions, also taking advantage of possible synergies by having several drill rigs workingat the same site.Most drilling rigs and installation equipment for BHE, groundwater wells etc. are designed for alimited number of boreholes at one spot. For larger buildings, more rigs and the related numberof skilled personnel are required. An understanding for the potential for automatisation of allprocesses has just started to grow.Allow drilling and installation in shorter time than today, and at sites with more limitations in area.Increase the potential for automatisation in the drilling and installation process.30 % Development / 70% Demonstration4.4.2 Research and innovation priorities with impact in the Medium and Long TermGEO.6ObjectiveIntegration of design of the shallow geothermal system and buildingenergy system with regard to optimum thermal use and operational strategyHeat transport in the underground is relatively slow, while building energy systems requirea prompt response. These characteristics can be matched by integrative design. However,the majority of geothermal heat pump systems today are planned in the classical way of theHVAC industry, by adding different components for heating and cooling to meet the requiredthermal capacities. For an optimum geothermal system, on the contrary, a holistic approachmust be taken, including the geothermal part, the conventional technology, and the wholebuilding and its intended use.In the case of most larger buildings, the geothermal system will be designed to cover asmuch as possible of the base load for heat and cold, being supplemented by other sources.The goal of design and development should be to ensure maximum contribution fromgeothermal (and other renewable) sources. Integrative design and construction approachesare required to optimise the common operation of the different system components, andstorage and/or heat pumps are required to bridge gaps in capacity or temperature. ImprovedICT technologies (central digital building control, building automation systems) are crucial foroperating these systems.State-of-the-artTargetsType of activityIn most cases geothermal systems today are designed as an add-on to conventional projectdesign in an advanced stage. So the geothermal technology just can try to adapt to the demandas created by the planned project, and no adjustment of other parameters towards optimumoverall system concepts is possible. A change in practice and availability the necessary toolsand structures for site investigation and design could create a leap forward in system efficiency.• Increase system efficiency by 25 % and pursue a target of 100 % RES for the overallheating and cooling system.• Improve system reliability and operation stability.75% Development / 25% Demonstration47