Page 64 - European Energy Innovation - Summer 2016 publication
P. 64
64 Summer 2016 European Energy Innovation
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GABI, a COST ACTION
for the development of shallow
geothermal energy
The annual consumption associated with fossil fuel and nuclear design. In thermoactive structures,
of energy in the world is power, while it can be developed heat exchangers are integrated in
continuously rising, driven locally without impact on the landscape the elements of the structure that
by increases in population, and with less land consumption and interface with the ground, such as
progressive urbanisation, etc. Climate output fluctuations than solar, wind foundations, tunnels and diaphragm
change mitigation and adaptation are or hydro-electrical power. The COST walls. This technique is also particularly
also challenges for the near future. ACTION TU1405 GABI (shallow attractive because of the inherent
In this context, the development Geothermal Applications for Buildings cost savings involved in combining a
of local sources of energy with low and Infrastructure) was launched in required structural component with
environmental impact is more and 2015 with the objective to build a new the harvesting of geothermal energy.
more necessary. Geothermal energy European network of researchers and Based on multidisciplinary approaches,
can play a significant role among engineers to address the challenges this group has the ambition to develop
renewable energy resources. It has of thermoactive geostructures in collective understanding, share
none of the environmental risks terms of thermal and mechanical techniques, facilities and data, and work
jointly in disseminating the obtained
Heat transfer pipes in a pile reinforcement cage results across Europe.
Shallow geothermal energy is
considered as a domestic resource,
which contributes to fulfilling the
energy demand both by electrical
power generation and direct-heat
uses. This technology only requires a
generally constant ground temperature
over the year. Despite seasonal
fluctuations, this is satisfied in most of
continental Europe, where the ground
temperature at depths higher than 5-8
m typically varies between 8°C and
16°C, but remains constant, down to
approximately 50 m. In such conditions,
the ground operates as heat source
supplying warmth to buildings during
winter, whilst functioning as heat
sink during summer when cooling is
required.
For shallow geothermal systems,
since the temperature differential is
relatively small, just a few degrees, a
heat pump is needed, forming what are
known as Ground Source Heat Pump
systems (GSHP). In such applications
the ground acts as heat exchanger
and storage medium rather than heat
source. Among shallow geothermal
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