System Design 20101

System Design:

If a geothermal system is determined to be viable, Geo-Xergy reviews all options to lower first cost and enhance energy efficiency.

A heat pump producing hot water has to take heat from somewhere. If the water it takes heat from can be used for cooling (space conditioning, process cooling, etc) the heat pump is simultaneously heating and cooling...basically doubling system efficiency. Geo-Xergy looks for those kinds of opportunities within the building, and if appropriate, at other nearby buildings. For example, a hockey arena produces large quantities of "waste" energy that can potentially be used within the building for preheating hot water, under-ice floor heating, radiant heating in the seats, space heating, snow melt systems, etc.

Ideally, these heat sources will be designed to utilize "low temperature" grade heat, as any heat pump is more efficient producing 35º C than 50º C water.

A wide variety of "hybrid" options, such as a fluid cooler, alternate heat source, thermal energy storage, open wells, "waste heat" recovery, etc. can help lower first cost by reducing the size of the GHX required.