Combination of Solar Thermal Collectors and Horizontal Ground Heat Exchangers as Optimized Source for Heat Pumps
Abstract
Heat pumps coupled to thermal ground sources, such as Horizontal Ground Heat Exchangers (HGHX), represent an efficient option to supply heating demands of single- and multi-family houses. However, the high land-use yet often prevents HGHXs from installation. The combination with solar thermal energy promises reduction of the HGHX area while retaining high system efficiencies. Our contribution studies the combination of HGHXs and solar thermal collectors, focusing on solar thermal regeneration of the soil. This is analyzed through both numerical modelling and experimental investigations. Modelling rests on a novel TRNSYS type for the HGHX, developed at ISFH. A test facility, installed on the premises of ISFH in Lower Saxony / Germany is used to validate the model. System simulations extrapolate the perceptions on differently configured heating systems.
Keywords
Horizontal ground heat exchanger, Trnsys type, System simulations, Regeneration, Bivalent source, Hghx area reduction