Geothermal Energy Use, Country Update for Sweden

Abstract

Over the last two decades the market for ground source heat pumps (GSHP) has been continuously growing in Sweden. These systems are recognized as cost effective and environmental sound ways for space heating. Up to the mid 2000 the growth was connected to small size GSHP system for single houses. In later years larger systems have become more and more popular. Furthermore, seasonal storage of natural heat and cold in the underground (UTES) have become increasingly common for combined heating and cooling of commercial and institutional buildings. After some 20 years of operational experiences UTES systems are proved to be energy efficient, technically safe and profitable. Most part of Sweden lack the geological conditions for deep geothermal exploitation. However, there is one plant in Lund from the mid-1980: tie that is still going strong with a production of some 250 GWh of geothermal heat to the DH of Lund annually. In this paper the current statistics of GSHP and UTES applications are given as well as market trends and recent technical improvements.