An investigation on the environmental impact of GSHP systems
Date Issued
June 2020
Abstract
Geothermal energy, a renewable energy source, is categorized into shallow
and deep applications. Shallow geothermal energy, through the use of
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) is used for space heating and cooling,
where the Ground Heat Exchangers (GHEs), are used to extract or reject heat
to the ground. GHE is eventually a network of pipes, with various
configurations, placed either vertically or horizontally in a medium. Due to
the high initial cost and long payback periods of the GSHP systems, solutions
have been introduced by the scientific community. Such systems include the
Thermo-Active Structures (TAS) or Energy Geo-Structures (EGS), with
applications such as energy piles, diaphragm walls, shallow foundations,
retaining walls, and tunnel linings.
Compared to Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), GSHPs achieve a better
coefficient of performance (COP) resulting in savings on the consumer
electricity bill. This reduction in consumed energy can be translated to less
primary energy used, hence a reduction in fossil fuels used and specific
environmental “harmful” gas emissions. However, it is not all black and
white, and the environmental impact does not lie only on one aspect. Based
on literature, such effects are presented in this study. Furthermore, a
discussion on the comparison among different types of ASHPs and of GSHPs
is performed.
and deep applications. Shallow geothermal energy, through the use of
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) is used for space heating and cooling,
where the Ground Heat Exchangers (GHEs), are used to extract or reject heat
to the ground. GHE is eventually a network of pipes, with various
configurations, placed either vertically or horizontally in a medium. Due to
the high initial cost and long payback periods of the GSHP systems, solutions
have been introduced by the scientific community. Such systems include the
Thermo-Active Structures (TAS) or Energy Geo-Structures (EGS), with
applications such as energy piles, diaphragm walls, shallow foundations,
retaining walls, and tunnel linings.
Compared to Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), GSHPs achieve a better
coefficient of performance (COP) resulting in savings on the consumer
electricity bill. This reduction in consumed energy can be translated to less
primary energy used, hence a reduction in fossil fuels used and specific
environmental “harmful” gas emissions. However, it is not all black and
white, and the environmental impact does not lie only on one aspect. Based
on literature, such effects are presented in this study. Furthermore, a
discussion on the comparison among different types of ASHPs and of GSHPs
is performed.
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