Technological Status of Shallow Geothermal Energy in Europe

Abstract

Shallow geothermal systems are usually combined with heat pumps (ground source heat pumps; GSHP). GSHP are widely spread all over Europe, with a long history in the centre (Austria, Germany, Switzerland) and in Sweden, and a subsequent market development in Benelux, France, Finland, Ireland, UK, and the Eastern countries. The use of GSHP in Southern Europe still is in its infancy. Well designed, installed and maintained GSHP systems work over many decades without any problems and do not pose any threat to the environment. A number of technical guidelines of engineer?s associations and ground-water protection authorities have established a common state of the art. Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) systems also use shallow geothermal technologies. They may or may not comprise heat pumps, and are used for storing heat or cold either in the solid ground (with borehole heat exchangers) or in aquifers. Large installations of the aquifer storage type (ATES) for cooling purposes can be found e.g. in Southern Sweden and in the Benelux countries. The current situation with a dramatic increase of GSHP installations in many countries (e.g. Germany, fig. 9) has changed the established market, as new players with poor experience and poor training now participate in it. A strong quality assurance and accompanying training and certification programs are urgently needed to prevent negative environmental impacts and damage in the public image of the whole GSHP sector.