Comparison between Simulation and Experimental Results for a Monitored Ground Coupled Heat Pump System

Abstract

The use of computer models for performance predictions has become a standard procedure for the design and management of geothermal heat pump systems. Simulation tools efficacy is dependent not only on the accuracy of their calculations but on the skills of choosing appropriate models and input values. This work compares a ground coupled heat pump design methodology with experimental results. We calculate the system energy performance factor of a monitored geothermal heat pump system analyzing the instantaneous measurements of temperature, flow and power consumption and we compare the performance factor at the end of each season (seasonal performance factor) with simulation results. This simulation is performed with the TRNSYS software tool. We obtain that the simulation results for the seasonal energy performance factor are compatible with the experimental values.