A Study on the Utilization of Geothermal Heat Pumps in Turkey

Abstract

Turkey is located on the Alpine-Himalayan Orogenic Belt and is among the top 7 countries around the world for the abundance of geothermal resources. However, only 2% of its potential is used. This means that considerable studies on geothermal energy could be conducted in order to increase the energy supply and to reduce atmospheric pollution in Turkey. There are 140 geothermal fields containing geofluid with a wellhead temperature above 40 oC in Turkey. The concept of ground-source (or geothermal) heat pumps (GSHPs), commonly known as heat pumps, is not new. However, the utilization of GSHPs in residential buildings is new in Turkey, although they have been in use for years in developed countries and the performance of the components are well documented. In addition, relatively few data are available for systematically assessing the systems installed in Turkey because GSHPs have started to appear on the Turkish market in the domestic sector in limited quantities. This study analyzes the current situation of GSHPs in Turkey and indicates future directions. Based on a value from the GSHP retailers, total investment costs can be considered to be 3,000 US$ per ton of cooling capacity and 30 US$ per m2 of floor area. The simple payback time for a residential system GSHP is just under four years in Turkey. Well-prepared pilot projects that demonstrate the advantages of GSHPs are also very important for the future of GSHP development. Case studies show that GSHPs are widely used in two or threestorey houses having a floor area in the range from 230 m2 to 1100 m2. This infers that GSHPs are preferred by high income earners.