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National Deployment of Domestic Geothermal Heat Pump Technology: Observations on the UK Experience 1995–2013

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  • Simon Rees

    (Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK)

  • Robin Curtis

    (GeoScience Ltd., Falmouth Business Park, Bickland Water Rd., Falmouth TR11 4SZ, UK)

Abstract

Uptake of geothermal heat pump technology in the UK and corresponding development of a domestic installation industry has progressed significantly in the last decade. This paper summarizes the growth process and reviews the research that has been specifically concerned with conditions in the UK. We discuss the driving forces behind these developments and some of the supporting policy initiatives that have been implemented. Publically funded national trials were completed to assess the performance and acceptance of the technology and validate design and installation standards. We comment on both the technical and non-technical findings of the trials and the related academic research and their relevance to standards development. A number of technical issues can be identified—some of which may be particular to the UK—and we suggest a number of research and development questions that need to be addressed further. Current national support for the technology relies solely on a tariff mechanism and it is uncertain that this will be effective enough to ensure sufficient growth to meet the national renewable heat target in 2020. A broader package of support that includes mandatory measures applied to future housing development and retrofit may be necessary to ensure long-term plans for national deployment and decarbonization of heat are achieved. Industry needs to demonstrate that efficiency standards can be assured, capital costs reduced in the medium-term and that national training schemes are effective.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Rees & Robin Curtis, 2014. "National Deployment of Domestic Geothermal Heat Pump Technology: Observations on the UK Experience 1995–2013," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-40, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:7:y:2014:i:8:p:5460-5499:d:39520
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Singh, H. & Muetze, A. & Eames, P.C., 2010. "Factors influencing the uptake of heat pump technology by the UK domestic sector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 873-878.
    2. Greening, Benjamin & Azapagic, Adisa, 2012. "Domestic heat pumps: Life cycle environmental impacts and potential implications for the UK," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 205-217.
    3. Johnson, Eric P., 2011. "Air-source heat pump carbon footprints: HFC impacts and comparison to other heat sources," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 1369-1381, March.
    4. Balcombe, Paul & Rigby, Dan & Azapagic, Adisa, 2013. "Motivations and barriers associated with adopting microgeneration energy technologies in the UK," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 655-666.
    5. John W. Lund, 2010. "Direct Utilization of Geothermal Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 3(8), pages 1-29, August.
    6. Bayer, Peter & Saner, Dominik & Bolay, Stephan & Rybach, Ladislaus & Blum, Philipp, 2012. "Greenhouse gas emission savings of ground source heat pump systems in Europe: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(2), pages 1256-1267.
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    Cited by:

    1. Naicker, Selvaraj S. & Rees, Simon J., 2018. "Performance analysis of a large geothermal heating and cooling system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 429-442.
    2. Young-Ju Jung & Hyo-Jun Kim & Bo-Eun Choi & Jae-Hun Jo & Young-Hum Cho, 2016. "A Study on the Efficiency Improvement of Multi-Geothermal Heat Pump Systems in Korea Using Coefficient of Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-19, May.
    3. Christopher Simon Brown, 2023. "Revisiting the Deep Geothermal Potential of the Cheshire Basin, UK," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Somogyi, Viola & Sebestyén, Viktor & Nagy, Georgina, 2017. "Scientific achievements and regulation of shallow geothermal systems in six European countries – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P2), pages 934-952.
    5. Bayer, Peter & Attard, Guillaume & Blum, Philipp & Menberg, Kathrin, 2019. "The geothermal potential of cities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 17-30.
    6. Young-Ju Jung & Hyo-Jun Kim & Kyung-Ju Shin & Jae-Hun Jo & Yong-Shik Kim & Young-Hum Cho, 2015. "Development of the Hybrid Operation Method of a Multi-Geothermal Heat Pump System and Absorption Chiller-Heater," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-24, August.
    7. Paul L. Younger, 2015. "Geothermal Energy: Delivering on the Global Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-18, October.

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