Lhendup, T; Lu Aye & Fuller, RJ 2010 A review of ground-coupled solar heat pump with underground thermal energy storage system, The 2nd AUN/SEED-Net Regional Conference on New/Renewable Energy, Burapha University, 21-22 January 2010.
Abstract
Due to the increasing use and high greenhouse gas emissions of fossil fuels, countries around the world are seeking to use renewable energy sources. Globally, residential buildings are the single largest user of the primary energy with heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) being the largest contributors. Therefore, the use of renewable energy in buildings could significantly reduce greenhouse gases. Amongst the many renewable energy technologies available today, low temperature geothermal energy technology is gaining popularity for HVAC applications. One of the popular methods of using low temperature geothermal energy for heating and cooling of the buildings is in combination with a heat pump. Although the use of renewable energy technologies has grown significantly, the sources are often intermittent in nature, and therefore not available or insufficient when required. Ground-coupled solar heat pump with underground thermal energy storage (GCSHP-UTES) systems can enhance the utilisation of renewable energy by matching the energy supply and demand. The paper presents a review of underground thermal energy storage, ground-coupled heat pumps and the present status of GCSHP-UTES systems. In the final section of the paper, the potential of GCSHP-UTES systems in Australia is examined.
Keywords: Ground-coupled solar heat pump; thermal energy storage; residential buildings.