Simulation of Solar Assisted Ground Source Heat Pump System in Different Regions

Abstract

This study presents a simulation approach to assess the viability of solar assisted ground source heat pump system in different regions of China. A short time step model of ground loop exchanger is employed in the simulation with a 30% solar fraction. Weather data files used in the simulation are created based on Chinese Typical Year Weather (CTYW) data. Borehole length is optimized with a safety stop temperature of 0°C. The minimum Entering Fluid Temperature (EFT) decreases 1.3°C after 20-year simulation time and the team effect of ground loop exchangers is weaken as a result of spontaneous recovery of storage temperature. Borehole length replaced by area of solar collector ranges from 3.9m to 2.5m in the six cities. The results show that the annual performance of ground loop exchanger is low in heating-dominated regions and a solar assisted ground source heat pump (SAGSHP) system is needed in order to improve the system performance.