Adoption of GSHP System at the Residential Micro-Scale: Field Analysis and Energetic Performance

Abstract

The adoption of the GSHP system (Ground Source Heat Pump), in alternative to the more common ASHP (Air Source Heat Pump), can be energetically more favorable for space conditioning (heating/cooling operations) also at the residential micro scale, given the thermal stability of the primary heat source. The present study analyzes the issue of heat transport in the ground induced by the presence of a shallow horizontal groundwater heat exchanger (GHE) for cooling of a typical house in the Po River Plain (Italy). The analysis is conducted via a finite element model (FEFLOW®) describing the domain heterogeneity through a quasi-three dimensional approach. The flow and thermal field are resolved in transient conditions, determining the temperature at the GHE outlet and the soil temperature distribution. The results allow to formulate some novel considerations for the GSHP system optimization.