Cost and Performance Analysis for Five Existing Geothermal Heat Pump-Based District Energy Systems in the United States

Technical Report · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1992646· OSTI ID:1992646

Oh, Hyunjun ^[1]; Beckers, Koenraad ^[1]

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1. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

District energy systems supplied by geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) have been deployed across the United States for both heating and cooling end uses. To better understand their performance and potential, the geothermal research team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory analyzed cost and performance of five existing GHP-based district energy systems in the United States. The five systems selected are Ball State University in Indiana, Colorado Mesa University in Colorado, Miami University in Ohio, West Union in Iowa, and Whisper Valley in Texas. The necessary information, including district size, operation period, GHP performance, and costs, was collected through literature review and interviews. The survey results indicated the five systems studied consist of geothermal borehole field(s) and ground loop(s) connected to central loop. While the GHPs were in central plants at Ball State University and Miami University, the central loops at Colorado Mesa University, West Wood, and Whisper Valley were connected through service lines to individual heat pumps in each building. Our analysis indicates the systems have been operating reliably and cost-effectively and contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Geothermal Technologies Office
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1992646
• Report Number(s): NREL/TP--5700-86678; MainId:87452; UUID:d4b56d5b-7bcb-4aa7-a496-dd1aa4f257ce; MainAdminID:70015
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Cost and Performance
District Energy
District Heating and Cooling
GHP
Geothermal Heat Pump
Ground-Source Heat Pump