We’re proud to share that the SEEDS project is featured in the latest issue of Heat Pumping Technologies Magazine (Vol. 42, Issue 2/2024) with a technical article authored by Lone Meertens from KU Leuven.
π Article title:
“Reducing Capital Cost for Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Through Dynamic Borefield Sizing”
π Read the full article
π§ͺ About the publication
The article explores how dynamic borehole modeling, which accounts for short-term thermal effectsβcan significantly improve the design of geothermal heat pump systems (GHPS).
π Key insights:
- Traditional steady-state models tend to oversize borefields by ignoring the thermal inertia of grout, pipes, and fluid.
- Dynamic models reduce the predicted peak heat transfer, allowing for smaller borefield sizes and lower installation costs.
- In one scenario (an auditorium), the borefield size was reduced by up to 35% using the proposed method.
- The study highlights the importance of adapting sizing approaches to the building’s thermal load profile.
This work builds on previous research presented at IGSHPA 2024 and leverages the GHEtool open-source software to model different building types, including offices, swimming pools, and auditoriums.
π‘ These innovations support SEEDS’ mission to decarbonise heating and cooling in buildings, making sustainable HVAC systems more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective.
π Congratulations to the KU Leuven team for this excellent contribution to the field of sustainable building technologies!
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