New generation of theoretical models for the thermal response of geothermal heat exchangers

Abstract

The efficient harnessing of geothermal energy for the heating and cooling of buildings requires extensive simulations to be carried out during the detailed design phase of a new building. These simulations, performed using semi-analytical models, serve to assess the thermal response of the geothermal heat exchanger during the building?s lifetime, that can easily excess 100 years. By using asymptotic expansion techniques, a new generation of theoretical models is being developed since 2011 that offer the flexibility and accuracy of the best performing models available nowadays, but at a fraction of their computational cost. These new models open the doors to yet untapped design and optimization possibilities.