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Numerical Investigation and Optimization of a District-Scale Groundwater Heat Pump System

Author

Listed:
  • Taha Sezer

    (Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Abubakar Kawuwa Sani

    (Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Rao Martand Singh

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Liang Cui

    (Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

Abstract

Groundwater heat pump (GWHP) systems are acknowledged as renewable and sustainable energy sources that can effectively fulfill the heating and cooling requirements of buildings on a district level. These systems harness geothermal sources available at shallow depths. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the system, the thermally used water is generally reinjected into the aquifer, creating a thermal plume starting from the injection well. Over time, this thermal plume may reach the abstraction well in the long term, potentially leading to a reduction in system efficiency. The operation types have a significant impact on this matter, and their effects have not been extensively studied in the existing literature. Therefore, this study aims to determine the optimal operating configurations for the Northern Gateway Heat Network, a GWHP system established in Colchester, UK. In this study, four distinct operation types are considered: (1) continuous heating (actual system), (2) heating and recovery, (3) heating and cooling, and (4) aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES). The results indicate that ATES operation yields the highest thermal energy output due to its ability to benefit from stored energy from the previous operation. However, implementing the ATES system may encounter challenges due to factors such as well development, hydraulic conductivity, and hydraulic gradient. On the other hand, implementing heating and cooling operations does not require additional considerations and offers not only free cooling to buildings but also a delay in thermal feedback time.

Suggested Citation

  • Taha Sezer & Abubakar Kawuwa Sani & Rao Martand Singh & Liang Cui, 2023. "Numerical Investigation and Optimization of a District-Scale Groundwater Heat Pump System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-25, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:20:p:7169-:d:1263857
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pophillat, William & Attard, Guillaume & Bayer, Peter & Hecht-Méndez, Jozsef & Blum, Philipp, 2020. "Analytical solutions for predicting thermal plumes of groundwater heat pump systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P2), pages 2696-2707.
    2. Florides, Georgios & Kalogirou, Soteris, 2007. "Ground heat exchangers—A review of systems, models and applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(15), pages 2461-2478.
    3. Park, Byeong-Hak & Bae, Gwang-Ok & Lee, Kang-Kun, 2015. "Importance of thermal dispersivity in designing groundwater heat pump (GWHP) system: Field and numerical study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 270-279.
    4. Bloemendal, Martin & Olsthoorn, Theo & Boons, Frank, 2014. "How to achieve optimal and sustainable use of the subsurface for Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 104-114.
    5. Blázquez, Cristina Sáez & Verda, Vittorio & Nieto, Ignacio Martín & Martín, Arturo Farfán & González-Aguilera, Diego, 2020. "Analysis and optimization of the design parameters of a district groundwater heat pump system in Turin, Italy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 374-383.
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