Feasibility of all year dual mode comfort conditioning using distributed ground source heat pumps connected in a thermal loop

Kristi Nelson*, Manohar Kulkarni

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are a type of renewable energy that is becoming more popular. They are not weather dependent so they can be efficient in any climate. GSHPs use the ground as an energy source, require minimum maintenance, and have no emissions. The ground is used as a source of heat in the winter and as a sink to remove heat from a building in the summer. GSHPs can also be used to heat your hot water supply. Air source, ground source, and distributed ground source heat pump systems were studied to determine the amount of energy that can be saved if heat pumps are distributed throughout a building. Distribution of heat pumps allows simultaneous heating and cooling throughout the building which improves individuals' comfort and saves energy. To test the efficiency of the system in different weather climates, the three systems were studied for two different weather climate locations, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota and Tucson, Arizona. A building model was chosen and the heating and cooling loads for each location were determined. Air source, ground source, and distributed ground source heat pumps were sized to the building model for each location and the amount of energy needed for each system in each location was compared. The system that was determined to be the most efficient, that is save the most energy, was then designed for Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGeothermal Resources Council Transactions - GRC 2006 Annual Meeting
Subtitle of host publicationGeothermal Resources-Securing Our Energy Future
Pages553-557
Number of pages5
StatePublished - 2006
EventGRC 2006 Annual Meeting: Geothermal Resources-Securing Our Energy Future - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Sep 10 2006Sep 13 2006

Publication series

NameTransactions - Geothermal Resources Council
Volume30 I
ISSN (Print)0193-5933

Other

OtherGRC 2006 Annual Meeting: Geothermal Resources-Securing Our Energy Future
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period9/10/069/13/06

Keywords

  • Distributed
  • Geothermal system
  • Ground source heat pumps
  • Thermal loop

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Geophysics
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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