[en] In Europe the ground-source heat pump market contracted for the second year running by 2.9% between 2009 and 2010. Around 103.000 units were sold in 2010, taking the number of installed units over one million. The 3 European countries with the most sales are Sweden (31953 units, +16%), Germany (25516 units, -13%) and France (12250 units, -21%). The drop in sales is generally due to market contraction on the current recession but some specificities exist: for instance the insufficient training of the installers has led to under-performance and to a bad image of this energy in France. The Swedish and German manufacturers are in a very strong position and are increasing their market share in the main European markets. (A.C.)

[en] Highlights: • Bayesian inference for TRT parameters and uncertainty assessment was proposed. • Not only point estimates of parameters but also credible intervals can be extracted. • Numerical TRT and sandbox TRT data were used to verify the proposed method. • Our method was used to examine the relationship between uncertainty and TRT time. • Estimation uncertainty decreased exponentially with increasing time: - Abstract: The effective ground thermal conductivity and borehole thermal resistance constitute information needed to design a ground-source heat pump (GSHP). In situ thermal response tests (TRTs) are considered reliable to obtain these parameters, but interpreting TRT data by a deterministic approach may result in significant uncertainties in the estimates. In light of the impact of the two parameters on GSHP applications, the quantification of uncertainties is necessary. For this purpose, in this study, we develop a stochastic method based on Bayesian inference to estimate the two parameters and associated uncertainties. Numerically generated noisy TRT data and reference sandbox TRT data were used to verify the proposed method. The posterior probability density functions obtained were used to extract the point estimates of the parameters and their credible intervals. Following its verification, the proposed method was applied to in situ TRT data, and the relationship between test time and estimation accuracy was examined. The minimum TRT time of 36 h recommended by ASHRAE produced an uncertainty of ~±21% for effective thermal conductivity. However, the uncertainty of estimation decreased exponentially with increasing TRT time, and was ±8.3% after a TRT time of 54 h, lower than the generally acceptable range of uncertainty of ±10%. Based on the obtained results, a minimum TRT time of 50 h is suggested and that of 72 h is expected to produce sufficiently accurate estimates for most cases.

[en] Highlights: • Variable speed compressor significantly improved the performance of the GSHPs. • Seasonal COP of GSHP and GSHP system are 12.9 and 11.0, respectively. • Operating cost of the GSHP is less than traditional ASHP by up to 66%. This paper is the first part of a two-part study of the performance of ground–source heat pumps (GSHPs) in single–family detached houses in Canada. In this paper, the cooling performance of two 4–ton (14 kW) vertical closed–loop water–to–air GSHP systems installed in two single–family detached houses in Innisfil (80 km north of Toronto, Canada) is monitored, analyzed and evaluated over one cooling season. Results show that the seasonal coefficient of performance of heat pump (COP_hp) and GSHP system (COP_sys) are 12.9 and 11.0, respectively. Unlike conventional air–conditioners, the outdoor air temperature had a small influence on the COP of the tested GSHPs. The average temperature of water leaving the ground loop was 12 °C and the leaving water temperature varied by up to 3.7 °C throughout the cooling season. The total power consumption and operating cost of the tested GSHPs are less than conventional air–conditioners by up to 66%.

[en] Highlights: • A multi-source information fusion based fault diagnosis methodology is proposed. • The diagnosis model is obtained by combining two proposed Bayesian networks. • The proposed model can increase the fault diagnostic accuracy for single fault. • The model can correct the wrong results for multiple-simultaneous faults. - Abstract: In order to increase the diagnostic accuracy of ground-source heat pump (GSHP) system, especially for multiple-simultaneous faults, the paper proposes a multi-source information fusion based fault diagnosis methodology by using Bayesian network, due to the fact that it is considered to be one of the most useful models in the filed of probabilistic knowledge representation and reasoning, and can deal with the uncertainty problem of fault diagnosis well. The Bayesian networks based on sensor data and observed information of human being are established, respectively. Each Bayesian network consists of two layers: fault layer and fault symptom layer. The Bayesian network structure is established according to the cause and effect sequence of faults and symptoms, and the parameters are studied by using Noisy-OR and Noisy-MAX model. The entire fault diagnosis model is established by combining the two proposed Bayesian networks. Six fault diagnosis cases of GSHP system are studied, and the results show that the fault diagnosis model using evidences from only sensor data is accurate for single fault, while it is not accurate enough for multiple-simultaneous faults. By adding the observed information as evidences, the probability of fault present for single fault of “Refrigerant overcharge” increases to 100% from 99.69%, and the probabilities of fault present for multiple-simultaneous faults of “Non-condensable gas” and “Expansion valve port largen” increases to almost 100% from 61.1% and 52.3%, respectively. In addition, the observed information can correct the wrong fault diagnostic results, such as “Evaporator fouling”. Therefore, the multi-source information fusion based fault diagnosis model using Bayesian network can increase the fault diagnostic accuracy greatly

[en] This paper takes the ground source heat pump unit of a research and development centre in Beijing as the research object. This collected the operation data in the cooling condition and the heating condition respectively. Based on the measured data, this paper calculated the coefficient of performances and the energy efficiency ratio of the unit. The results show that when the active chilled beam is used as the air-conditioning terminal device, the inlet temperature of the heat pump unit is greatly improved. The ground source heat pump unit meets the standard and has a higher energy efficiency ratio; The operation of a single unit is more efficient than that of multiple units at the same time. (paper)

[en] The GHEs (ground heat exchangers) is an important element that determines the thermal efficiency of the entire ground-source heat-pump system. The aim of the present study is to clarify thermal performance of a new type GHE pipe, which consists straight fins of uniform cross sectional area. In this paper, GHE model is introduced and an analytical model of new type GHE pipe is developed. The heat exchange rate of BHEs utilizing finned pips is 40.42 W/m, which is 16.3% higher than normal BHEs, based on simulation analyses. (paper)

[en] Wastewater is an underutilized and readily available source of carbon free thermal energy. The energy derived from wastewater can be augmented using heat pumps to supply thermal energy to buildings. Due to favorable temperatures, wastewater sourced heat pumps are able to operate more efficiently than air and ground sourced heat pumps. This paper evaluates the potential of using wastewater heat recovery (WWHR) to provide heating and cooling to a mid-sized university campus located in the urban center of Toronto, Canada. (paper)

[en] Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), often referred to as geothermal heat pumps (GHPs), offer an attractive option for heating and cooling residential and commercial buildings owing to their higher energy efficiency compared with conventional systems. GSHPs have been used for four years in the Turkish market, although they have been in use for more years in developed countries. The purpose of this study is to present an energy and exergy analysis of a GSHP system with a 50 m vertical 1.25 in. nominal diameter U-bend ground heat exchanger. This system was applied to a 65 m² room in the Solar Energy Institute, Ege University, Izmir, for the first time at the university level in Turkey. The Institute, built in 1986, has a livable floor area of 3000 m² and uses passive solar techniques. The heating and cooling loads of the room studied were 3.8 and 4.2 kW at design conditions, respectively. The system was commissioned in May 2000, and performance tests have been conducted since then. The exergy transports between the components and the consumptions in each of the components of the GSHP system were determined for the average measured parameters obtained from the experimental results in February 2001. The exergy diagram (the Grassmann diagram) was also presented for the GSHP system studied to give quantitative information regarding the proportion of the exergy input that is dissipated in the various system components

[en] The paper describes the use of geothermal and biomass energy and their potential share in energy production. (TRA)

[en] Highlights: • Long term ground temperature response is explored using finite element methods. • Simulation method is validated against experimental and analytical data. • Temperature changes at a fast rate in the first few years and slows down gradually. • ASHRAE recommended separation distances are not always sufficient. • Thermal accumulation occurs at the centre of borehole field. - Abstract: Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional heating and cooling systems because of their high efficiency and low greenhouse gas emissions. The ground acts as a heat sink/source for the excess/required heat inside a building for cooling and heating modes, respectively. However, imbalance in heating and cooling needs can change ground temperature over the operating duration. This increase/decrease in ground temperature lowers system efficiency and causes the ground to foul—failing to accept or provide more heat. In order to ensure that GSHPs can operate to their designed conditions, thermal modelling is required to simulate the ground temperature during system operation. In addition, the borehole field layout can have a major impact on ground temperature. In this study, four buildings were studied—a hospital, fast-food restaurant, residence, and school, each with varying borehole configurations. Boreholes were modelled in a soil volume using finite-element methods and heating and cooling fluxes were applied to the borehole walls to simulate the GSHP operation. 20 years of operation were modelled for each building for 2 × 2, 4 × 4, and 2 × 8 borehole configurations. Results indicate that the borehole separation distance of 6 m, recommended by ASHRAE, is not always sufficient to prevent borehole thermal interactions. Benefits of using a 2 × 8 configuration as opposed to a 4 × 4 configuration, which can be observed because of the larger perimeter it provides for heat to dissipate to surrounding soil were quantified. This study indicates that it is important to carefully consider ground temperature during the operation of a GSHP. Borehole separation distances, layout, and hybridization should be studied to alleviate ground fouling problems.