Abstract
In order to boost the use of shallow geothermal energy, reliable and sound information concerning its potential must be provided to the public and energy decision-makers, among others. To this end, we developed a GIS-based methodology that allowed us to estimate the resource, energy, economic and environmental potential of shallow geothermal energy at a regional scale. Our method focuses on closed-loop borehole heat exchanger systems, which are by far the systems that are most utilized for heating and cooling purposes, and whose energy demands are similar throughout the year in the study area applied. The resource was assessed based on the thermal properties from the surface to a depth of 100 m, considering the water saturation grade of the materials. Additionally, climate and building characteristics data were also used as the main input. The G.POT method was used for assessing the annual shallow geothermal resource and for the specific heat extraction (sHe) rate estimation for both heating and, for the first time, for cooling. The method was applied to the Region of Murcia (Spain) and thematic maps were created with the outputting results. They offer insight toward the thermal energy that can be extracted for both heating and cooling in (MWh/year) and (W/m); the technical potential, making a distinction over the climate zones in the region; the cost of the possible ground source heat pump (GSHP) installation, associated payback period and the cost of producing the shallow geothermal energy; and, finally, the GHG emissions savings derived from its usage. The model also output the specific heat extraction rates, which are compared to those from the VDI 4640, which prove to be slightly higher than the previous one.
Highlights
Introduction iationsHeating and cooling consume half of the EU’s energy, and 75% come from fossil fuels [1]
Thermophysical properties of the underground have been identified. They are deduced from the thermal conductivity and thermal capacity of the ground. As they have site-specific conditions, their values have been calculated in geographical information system (GIS)
There is a band with low values (0.6 to 1.3 W/mK) corresponding to sunken areas at the Guadalentín catchment, where the coastal part near the sea, a band crossing the region in the east–west direction and the north part from the band
Summary
Heating and cooling consume half of the EU’s energy, and 75% come from fossil fuels [1]. Its associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have global consequences, such as hitting the record of having had the warmest temperatures over the last five years. To counter these and other consequences of climate change, the EU Commission is implementing the European Green Deal policy framework. 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels [2]. To this end, renewable heating and cooling (H&C). The heat content of the ground, known as the geothermal resource, is an ideal
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