Design of Geo-HEP Systems
Each Geo-HEP system is designed on a project-by-project basis.
Planning Starts with the Location
No single type of soil or rock alone determines suitability.
The decisive factors are the interplay of thermal conductivity, thermal storage capacity, drillability, groundwater conditions, permissible drilling depth, and the specific load profile of the application.
Energy demand, existing plant infrastructure, and the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the site collectively determine how the system can be designed.
Site evaluation is therefore a key component of the planning process.
It provides the basis for determining the output achievable per high-performance energy pile, how many piles are needed, and which technical and regulatory requirements must be taken into account.
Consider Location, Technology, and Use Together
A Geo-HEP system is not designed independently of its intended use. The planning process takes into account, among other factors, the required heating and cooling capacity, operating hours, required temperature levels, and the existing system infrastructure, all in conjunction with site conditions.
- Energy and Capacity Requirements of the Application
- Temporal Variation of Heating and Cooling Loads
- Existing heating, cooling, and system components
- Subsurface structure and stratification
- Thermal conductivity and thermal storage capacity
- Strength and drillability of the rock
- Groundwater conditions and permissible drilling depth
- Distances to buildings and utility lines
Permits and Sensitive Locations
Permit eligibility must also be considered on a site-by-site basis. Use in water protection areas can generally be evaluated, but the decision is always made on a case-by-case basis. Key factors to be evaluated include the protected area zone, groundwater conditions, drilling depth, sealing, and the requirements of the local water management authority.
Geology and Groundwater
Geological and hydrogeological conditions have a direct impact on the achievable performance and the system’s design parameters. Particularly in passive cooling, moving groundwater can support heat dissipation underground and promote thermal regeneration around the high-performance energy piles.
Flexibly Tailor Planning and Bidding to the Project
The technical design must align with the project structure. Under the current planning approach, the system can be put out to bid and awarded on a project-specific basis—either as a complete package or broken down into individual trades. This allows implementation to be adapted to different planning, contracting, and construction processes.
From Site Assessment to Plant Configuration
The potential system configuration is derived from the technical requirements and site data. This includes, in particular, the achievable power output per high-performance energy pile and the required number of energy piles. Geological conditions influence not only technical performance but also the likelihood of obtaining permits and economic feasibility.
Is your site suitable for Geo-HEP?
Whether and in what form a Geo-HEP system is suitable for a project can only be assessed based on the specific project and site data. The sooner this information is compiled, the more reliable the subsequent planning can be.