Monitoring results after 12 months of provision of heating and cooling at the 8 demonstration buildings of the European project “Ground-Med”

Abstract

A new generation of high efficiency ground source heat pump systems was developed by the GROUND - MED project (1.01.2009 – 31.12.2014). These GSHP systems have been installed and demonstrated in 8 buildings of South Europe. The project was supported by the FP7 program of the European Commission. After two complete seasons of monitoring heating and cooling operation, the project proved that the technological advantage of high efficiency heat pumps can be utilized in its full potential by borehole heat exchangers delivering water at favourable temperature levels (7-20°C in heating and 14-39°C in cooling), low temperature indoor heating system (supplying water of 28-43°C for heating and 7-18°C for cooling) and advanced operation controls synchronizing pumps, fans and compressors while optimizing water supply temperature to the building. Superior seasonal performance factors SPF2 (considering electricity consumption at the compressors and external pump) were achieved, namely 3.63-5.91 in heating, 4.87-6.76 in active cooling and 9.80-16.59 in free cooling modes, well above project objectives and the EU average SPF of ground source heat pumps.