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Investigating scalability of deep borehole heat exchangers: Numerical modelling of arrays with varied modes of operation

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  • Brown, Christopher S.
  • Kolo, Isa
  • Falcone, Gioia
  • Banks, David

Abstract

Deep Borehole Heat Exchangers (DBHEs) are a potentially important method of developing geothermal resources through closed-loop systems for carbon neutral, spatial heating. Past research has primarily focused on single-well systems, with few investigating arrays of multiple DBHEs as a method of extracting more thermal energy. In this study, a series of arrays were modelled using OpenGeoSys software, with the aim of understanding the influence of array geometry, inter-borehole spacing and the mode of operation on the thermal performance and system efficiency. OpenGeoSys software is a finite-element model which solves thermal fluxes through the wellbore and surrounding rock using the dual-continuum method. Simulations were undertaken for the lifetime of an array (20 years) with modes of operation testing 1) long-term constant heat load application and 2) intermittent operation with 6 months of extraction followed by a recovery period. Results indicate geometry and mode of operation had a significant impact on inter-borehole spacing and system performance. For long term constant heat load application of 50 kW per DBHE, the minimal spacing required for line and square arrays should be 40 and 30 m. When considering intermittent operation, recovery periods allow replenishment of heat around the borehole, meaning smaller spacing can be utilised.

Suggested Citation

  • Brown, Christopher S. & Kolo, Isa & Falcone, Gioia & Banks, David, 2023. "Investigating scalability of deep borehole heat exchangers: Numerical modelling of arrays with varied modes of operation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 442-452.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:202:y:2023:i:c:p:442-452
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2022.11.100
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cai, Wanlong & Wang, Fenghao & Chen, Chaofan & Chen, Shuang & Liu, Jun & Ren, Zhanli & Shao, Haibing, 2022. "Long-term performance evaluation for deep borehole heat exchanger array under different soil thermal properties and system layouts," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Christopher Simon Brown, 2023. "Revisiting the Deep Geothermal Potential of the Cheshire Basin, UK," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Zhendi Ma & Siyu Qin & Yuping Zhang & Wei-Hsin Chen & Guosheng Jia & Chonghua Cheng & Liwen Jin, 2023. "Effects of Boundary Conditions on Performance Prediction of Deep-Buried Ground Heat Exchangers for Geothermal Energy Utilization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-27, June.
    3. Li, Chao & Jiang, Chao & Guan, Yanling & Chen, Kai & Wu, Jiale & Xu, Jiamin & Wang, Jiachen, 2024. "Simplified method and numerical simulation analysis of pipe-group long-term heat transfer in deep-ground heat exchangers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    4. Brown, C.S. & Kolo, I. & Lyden, A. & Franken, L. & Kerr, N. & Marshall-Cross, D. & Watson, S. & Falcone, G. & Friedrich, D. & Diamond, J., 2024. "Assessing the technical potential for underground thermal energy storage in the UK," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    5. Christopher S. Brown & Hannah Doran & Isa Kolo & David Banks & Gioia Falcone, 2023. "Investigating the Influence of Groundwater Flow and Charge Cycle Duration on Deep Borehole Heat Exchangers for Heat Extraction and Borehole Thermal Energy Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-22, March.
    6. Jun Liu & Yuping Zhang & Zeyuan Wang & Cong Zhou & Boyang Liu & Fenghao Wang, 2023. "Medium Rock-Soil Temperature Distribution Characteristics at Different Time Scales and New Layout Forms in the Application of Medium-Deep Borehole Heat Exchangers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-22, October.
    7. Chen, Wen & Zhou, Chaohui & Huang, Xinyu & Luo, Hanbin & Luo, Yongqiang & Cheng, Nan & Tian, Zhiyong & Zhang, Shicong & Fan, Jianhua & Zhang, Ling, 2024. "Study on thermal radius and capacity of multiple deep borehole heat exchangers: Analytical solution, algorithm and application based on Response Factor Matrix method (RFM)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 296(C).
    8. Zhang, Sheng & Liu, Jun & Zhang, Xia & Wang, Fenghao, 2024. "Properly shortening design time scale of medium-deep borehole heat exchanger for high building heating performances with high computational efficiency," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).

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