Feasibility study of collective heating and cooling based on foundation pile heat exchangers in Vejle (Denmark)

Abstract

We assess the feasibility of a collective district heating and cooling network based on a foundation pile heat exchanger in a new urban area in Vejle, Denmark. A thermogeological model for the area is developed based on geophysical investigations and borehole information. In tandem with a building energy demand model, the subsurface thermal properties serve as the input for a newly developed computational temperature model for collective heating and cooling with energy piles. The purpose of the model is to estimate the long-term performance and maximum liveable area that the energy piles are able to support. We consider two case studies where residential and office buildings dominate the building mass. We find that three to four floors can be supplied with heating and cooling from the energy piles, depending on the use and design of the buildings.

Full-Scale Demonstration of Combined Ground Source Heating and Sustainable Urban Drainage in Roadbeds

“…They consider energy geostructures that embed energy collectors for GSHPs in structural building elements and thus exemplify integration of the building and energy sectors by creating added value from economies of scope, as the need for structural building elements facilitates cost-effective heating and cooling. In previous work, we studied the use of foundation pile heat exchangers (energy piles) as the main energy source for a 5GDHC grid in Vejle, Denmark [20]. We estimated a payback period of 4-7 years for the energy pile-based 5GDHC grid relative to traditional district heating largely due to the significant cost reduction for the ground heat exchangers and greatly reduced variable costs.…”

Full-Scale Demonstration of Combined Ground Source Heating and Sustainable Urban Drainage in Roadbeds

“…They consider energy geostructures which embed energy collectors for GSHPs in structural building elements and thus exemplify integration of the building and energy sectors by creating added value from economies of scope, as the need for structural building elements facilitates cost-effective heating and cooling. In previous work, we have studied the use of foundation pile heat exchangers (energy piles) as the main energy source for a 5GDHC grid in Vejle, Denmark [15]. We estimated a payback period of 4-7 years for the energy pile-based 5GDHC grid relative to traditional district heating largely due to the significant cost reduction for the ground heat exchangers and greatly reduced variable costs.…”