The European Project Ground-Med “Advanced Ground Source Heat Pump Systems for Heating and Cooling in Mediterranean Climate”

Abstract

The project Ground-Med, implemented by a consortium of 24 organizations from Europe and supported by the 7th framework program of the European Commission, concerns the development of the next generation of ground source heat pump systems, which will deliver heating and cooling to buildings with a measured year round seasonal performance factor SPF higher than 5. Technology development will include water source heat pumps of variable capacity, low electricity consumption fan-coil units, new heat/cool storage nodules, air handling units using condensing heat, pumps and fans of variable speed, advanced system control with temperature output depending on the heating/cooling load, as well as system design aiming at minimizing the temperature difference between the ground, the borehole heat exchanger, the heat pump, the heating/cooling water and the indoor temperature. These technologies will be demonstrated at 8 buildings of South Europe, and monitored for a period of more than 30 months. The project has duration of 5 years (2009-2013), and a budget of approximately 7.25 million Euros, with European financial support of around 60%.