A Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) system is known to have enormous potential for building energy savings and the reduction of associated greenhouse gas emissions, due to its high Coefficient Of Performance (COP). The use of a GHP system in cold-climate regions is more attractive owing to its higher COP for heating compared to conventional heating devices, such as furnaces or boilers. Many factors, however, determine the operational performance of an existing GHP system, such as control strategy, part/full-load efficiency, the age of the system, defective parts, and whether or not regular maintenance services are provided. The omitting of any of these factors in design and operation stages could have significant impacts on the normal operation of GHP systems. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to further investigate and study the existing GHP systems currently used in buildings located in cold-climate regions of the US, in terms of system operational performance, potential energy and energy cost savings, system cost information, the reasons for installing geothermal systems, current operating difficulties, and owner satisfaction to date. After the comprehensive investigation and in-depth analysis of 24 buildings, the results indicate that for these buildings, about 75% of the building owners are very satisfied with their GHP systems in terms of noise, cost, and indoor comfort. About 71% of the investigated GHP systems have not had serious operating difficulties, and about 85% of the respondents (building owners) would suggest this type of system to other people. Compared to the national median of energy use and energy cost of typical buildings of the same type nationwide, the overall performance of the actual GHP systems used in the cold-climate regions is slightly better, i.e. about 7.2% energy savings and 6.1% energy cost savings on average.
References
[1]
Kelso, J.D. (2010) Buildings Energy Data Book. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Washington DC.
http://web.archive.org/web/20130214024505/ http://buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov/ChapterIntro1.aspx
[2]
David, A., Mathiesen, B.V., Averfalk, H., Werner, S. and Lund, H. (2017) Heat Roadmap Europe: Large-Scale Electric Heat Pumps in District Heating Systems. Energies, 10, 578. https://doi.org/10.3390/en10040578
[3]
Arat, H. and Arslan, O. (2017) Exergoeconomic Analysis of District Heating System Boosted by the Geothermal Heat Pump. Energy, 119, 1159-1170.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.11.073
[4]
Liu, Z., Xu, W., Qian, C., Chen, X. and Jin, G. (2015) Investigation on the Feasibility and Performance of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) in Three Cities in Cold Climate Zone, China. Renewable Energy, 84, 89-96.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2015.06.019
[5]
Self, S.J., Reddy, B.V. and Rosen, M.A. (2013) Geothermal Heat Pump Systems: Status Review and Comparison with Other Heating Options. Applied Energy, 101, 341-348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.01.048
[6]
Lohani, S.P. and Schmidt, D. (2010) Comparison of Energy and Exergy Analysis of Fossil Plant, Ground and Air Source Heat Pump Building Heating System. Renewable Energy, 35, 1275-1282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2009.10.002
[7]
Urchueguía, J.F., Zacarés, M., Corberán, J.M., Montero, A., Martos, J. and Witte, H. (2008) Comparison between the Energy Performance of a Ground Coupled Water to Water Heat Pump System and an Air to Water Heat Pump System for Feating and Cooling in Typical Conditions of the European Mediterranean Coast. Energy Conversion and Management, 49, 2917-2923.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2008.03.001
[8]
Healy, P.F. and Ugursal, V.I. (1997) Performance and Economic Feasibility of Ground Source Heat Pumps in Cold Climate. International Journal of Energy Research, 21, 857-870.
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-114X(199708)21:10<857::AID-ER279>3.0.CO;2-1
[9]
Hepbasli, A. (2005) Thermodynamic Analysis of a Ground-Source Heat Pump System for District Heating. International Journal of Energy Research, 29, 671-687.
https://doi.org/10.1002/er.1099
[10]
Bakirci, K. (2010) Evaluation of the Performance of a Ground-Source Heat-Pump System with Series GHE (Ground Heat Exchanger) in the Cold Climate Region. Energy, 35, 3088-3096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2010.03.054
[11]
Ozyurt, O. and Ekinci, D.A. (2011) Experimental Study of Vertical Ground-Source Heat Pump Performance Evaluation for Cold Climate in Turkey. Applied Energy, 88, 1257-1265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.10.046
[12]
Flaga-Maryanczyk, A., Schnotale, J., Radon, J. and Was, K. (2014) Experimental Measurements and CFD Simulation of a Ground Source Heat Exchanger Operating at a Cold Climate for a Passive House Ventilation System. Energy and Buildings, 68, 562-570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.09.008
[13]
Ozgener, O. and Hepbasli, A. (2005) Performance Analysis of a Solar-Assisted Ground-Source Heat Pump System for Greenhouse Heating: An Experimental Study. Building and Environment, 40, 1040-1050.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2004.08.030
[14]
Chiasson, A. and Center, P.G.H. (2006) Greenhouse Heating with Geothermal Heat Pump Systems. ASABE Annual International Meeting Portland, 9-12.
[15]
Tong, Y., Kozai, T., Nishioka, N. and Ohyama, K. (2010) Greenhouse Heating Using Heat Pumps with a High Coefficient of Performance (COP). Biosystems Engineering, 106, 405-411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2010.05.003
[16]
Chargui, R., Sammouda, H. and Farhat, A. (2012) Geothermal Heat Pump in Heating Mode: Modeling and Simulation on TRNSYS. International Journal of Refrigeration, 35, 1824-1832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2012.06.002
[17]
Chai, L., Ma, C. and Ni, J.Q. (2012) Performance Evaluation of Ground Source Heat Pump System for Greenhouse Heating in Northern China. Biosystems Engineering, 111, 107-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2011.11.002
[18]
Benli, H. (2013) A Performance Comparison between a Horizontal Source and a Vertical Source Heat Pump Systems for a Greenhouse Heating in the Mild Climate Elazi?, Turkey. Applied Thermal Engineering, 50, 197-206.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2012.06.005
[19]
Esen, M. and Yuksel, T. (2013) Experimental Evaluation of Using Various Renewable Energy Sources for Heating a Greenhouse. Energy and Buildings, 65, 340-351.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.06.018
[20]
Russo, G., Anifantis, A.S., Verdiani, G. and Mugnozza, G.S. (2014) Environmental Analysis of Geothermal Heat Pump and LPG Greenhouse Heating Systems. Biosystems Engineering, 127, 11-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2014.08.002
[21]
Fang, H., Yang, Q.C. and Sun, J. (2008) Application of Ground-Source Heat Pump and Floor Heating System to Greenhouse Heating in Winter. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, 24, 145-149.
[22]
Chiasson, A.D., Spitler, J.D., Rees, S.J. and Smith, M.D. (2000) A Model for Simulating the Performance of a Pavement Heating System as a Supplemental Heat Rejecter with Closed-Loop Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 122, 183-191. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1330725
[23]
Zwarycz, K. (2002) Snow Melting and Heating Systems Based on Geothermal Heat Pumps at Goleniow Airport, Poland. The United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme Reports, 21, 431-464.
[24]
Wang, H., Zhao, J. and Chen, Z. (2008) Experimental Investigation of Ice and Snow Melting Process on Pavement Utilizing Geothermal Tail Water. Energy Conversion and Management, 49, 1538-1546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2007.12.008
[25]
Balbay, A. and Esen, M. (2010) Experimental Investigation of Using Ground Source Heat Pump System for Snow Melting on Pavements and Bridge Decks. Scientific Research and Essays, 5, 3955-3966.
[26]
He, Q. and Shi, L. (2016) Design and Research of High-Speed Turnout Snow Melting System Based on Ground Source Heat Pump. Journal of Residuals Science & Technology, 13.
[27]
Ryan, W. (2011) Carbon Emission Comparison between Residential Heating and Cooling Options. Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Illinois, Chicago.
[28]
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineer (2007) ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007, Energy Standard for Buildings except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineer, Atlanta
[29]
EPA’s Target Finder Calculator.
http://www.energystar.gov/buildings/service-providers/design/step-step-process/evaluate-target/epa%E2%80%99s-target-finder-calculator
[30]
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineer (1995) Operating Experiences with Commercial Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems, Final Report TRP-863. American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineer, Atlanta.
[31]
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineer (1998) Operating Experiences with Commercial Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems. American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineer., Atlanta.
[32]
Kavanaugh, S. and Kavanaugh, J. (2012) Long-Term Commercial GSHP Performance: Part 1: Project Overview and Loop Circuit Types. ASHRAE Journal, 54, 48.
[33]
Kavanaugh, S. and Kavanaugh, J. (2012) Long-Term Commercial GSHP Performance: Part 2: Ground Loops, Pumps, Ventilation Air and Controls. ASHRAE Journal, 54, 26.
[34]
Kavanaugh, S. and Kavanaugh, J. (2012) Long-Term Commercial GSHP Performance: Part 3: Loop Temperatures. ASHRAE Journal, 54, 28-39.
[35]
Kavanaugh, S., Green, M. and Mescher, K. (2012) Long Term Commercial GSHP Performance: Part 4: Installation Costs. ASHRAE Journal, 54, 26-34.
[36]
Kavanaugh, S. and Kavanaugh, J. (2012) Long-Term Commercial GSHP Performance: Part 5: Comfort and Satisfaction. ASHRAE Journal, 54, 32-37.
[37]
Kavanaugh, S. and Dinse, D. (2013) Long-Term Commercial GSHP Performance: Part 6: Maintenance and Controls. ASHRAE Journal, 55, 24.
[38]
Kavanaugh, S. and Meline, L. (2013) Long-Term Commercial GSHP Performance: Part 7: Achieving Quality. ASHRAE Journal, 55, 26-31.
[39]
Zimmerman, D.R. (2000) Documentation of Operation, Maintenance & Construction Cost of Geothermal Heat Pump Systems in Schools. Final Report. EP-P3128/C1476. Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto.
[40]
Manz, L. (2011) Another First for North Dakota. Geothermal Energy Update. Geo News, 5-6.
[41]
Kavanaugh, S. and Rafferty, K. (2014) Geothermal Heating and Cooling Design of Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems. American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineer, Atlanta.
[42]
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineer (2015) Chapter 34, Geothermal Energy. American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineer, Atlanta.
[43]
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineer (2004) ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004, Energy Standard for Buildings except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineer, Atlanta.
