Geothermal Energy with Heat Pump as a Possible Solution in Dramatic Climate Change – Market Situation and Potential in Germany of a Renewable Energy Source

David Novak

doi:10.13189/aeb.2020.080101

Abstract

Goal: Global sustainability is becoming an increasingly important topic, which is impressively demonstrated by numerous conferences of the UN and its sister organizations with worldwide participation. The purpose of this paper is to critically review the use of geothermal energy through the use of heat pumps. Opportunities and starting points are discussed briefly. Design / Methodology / Approach: This paper does not only deal with geothermal energy, but also shows the potential uses and effects of using heat pumps. Not only the basic assumptions and the goals are documented, but these are, as far as possible, checked for their realism or feasibility. Carry out a method comparison of the published literature with technical, economic and ecological approaches. Findings: The findings are presented in a concise summary and provide opportunities for further analysis, discussion or results. The use of heat pumps is to reduce CO2 emissions in heat production, to measure the impact on nature using indicators and values. Geothermal energy can make a significant contribution to environmental protection through the use of heat pumps. Their lack of market penetration in Germany is apparently not due to too low benefits, but rather to lack of awareness (lack of marketing) and also lack of German government support, e.g. about tax incentives. Research / Practical Implications: Results and implications for practice, applications and consequences are identified. Use of geothermal energy and its effects can be assessed in the short, medium and long term. All people worldwide could use geothermal energy if they had a working electrical connection. Future research into renewable energy sources should always include geothermal energy, although currently it does not have enough multipliers and interest groups to support it. From the perspective of permanent availability (24/7), it is unbeatable. Originality / Value: This paper deals with sustainability and the related consequences in the field of regenerative energy production through the use of geothermal heat, as well as the implementation by means of heat pumps. In addition to purely scientific literature, facts and figures are used by the German Federal Environment Agency and the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, which ensure the highest degree of neutrality.

Highlights

There is a lot of talk about regenerative energy generation, which mostly focuses on power generation
The Fraunhofer Institute sees geothermal energy as a good solution, which can be used with heat pumps (Fraunhofer IWES / IBP, 2012)
The process used is in principle the reversal of a heat-power process, in which heat energy is taken up at high temperature and partly converted into mechanical work and the residual energy is dissipated at lower temperature than waste heat, usually to the environment

Summary

Introduction

There is a lot of talk about regenerative energy generation, which mostly focuses on power generation. The Fraunhofer Institute sees geothermal energy as a good solution, which can be used with heat pumps (Fraunhofer IWES / IBP, 2012). These heat pumps can generate both less power, as well as much larger heat. According to the U.S American report of “U.S Global Change” (US Global Change Research Program) is expected by the end of this century with hundreds of thousands of deaths and annual costs up to 1 trillion US dollars by climate change For this reason too, pro-active action is already compelling today, as the consequences of human action, including the positive ones, will only have an ecological impact in the medium term. If it is designed it can be used in the opposite direction for cooling, with only heat and electricity generation being treated below (Miara et al, 2013)

Objectives

Results

Conclusion