Fast calculation of the technical shallow geothermal energy potential of large areas with a steady-state solution of the finite line source

Abstract

Shallow geothermal energy systems may play a significant role in the energy transition as they can strongly reduce the carbon emissions from the residential heating and cooling sector. For urban and rural planning, policy making, and the development of regulations, regional scale estimations of the heating potential of borehole heat exchangers (BHEs) are required. For such regional estimations of the technical geothermal potential the thermal interference between BHEs is a crucial parameter to take into account as it can strongly reduce the heat extraction rate in borehole fields with a high BHE density. Here, we propose an analytical solution of the steady-state finite line source solution to calculate thermal response factors, or g-functions, within large BHE fields with variable distances between, and lengths of, boreholes. We show that the methodology can be used to rapidly calculate the thermal interference of boreholes on a regional scale and apply it to estimate the technical shallow geothermal potential of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The results highlight areas where BHEs can offer a good alternative to fossil fuel-based heating options and will be used by municipalities within the study area for the development of local carbon neutral heating plans.