Geothermal energy in urban planning

Abstract

Geothermal energy is a collective term referring to Earth heat extraction and use of the ground capacity to absorb and store thermal energy to supply heat or cold. Thermal ground exchange or shallow geothermal energy has been increasingly used in the housing sector to sustain comfortable room temperature. Increasing utilization of geothermal energy, particularly in urban areas, requires integration into urban planning processes. The question of subsurface planning, or underground space integration into land-use planning, or three-dimensional planning has been an emerging research theme in this decade. This paper will focus on specific issues that pertain to geothermal energy use in land use planning in urban areas. These issues include (1) holistic vision of underground space as a resource, (2) geothermal energy technologies in terms of using space, (3) multiple users and installations of heat pumps and their interaction, (4) possible conflicts and interference with other subsurface users and functions, (5) demand and suitability of geothermal use in housing, (6) urban densities and geothermal energy feasible use, (7) and general principles of urban geothermal land use planning. A feasibility case study of using heat pumps to provide heating for a typical historic residential multifamily building in the Petrogradsky district of the city of St. Petersburg, Russia is given.