Large-Scale Geothermal Collector Systems for 5th Generation District Heating and Cooling Networks

Robin Zeh, Björn Ohlsen, David Philipp, David Bertermann, Tim Kotz, Nikola Jocić and Volker Stockinger
Additional contact information
Robin Zeh: Department of Energy and Building, Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm, 90489 Nuremberg, Germany
Björn Ohlsen: Energie PLUS Concept GmbH, 90402 Nuremberg, Germany
David Philipp: Energie PLUS Concept GmbH, 90402 Nuremberg, Germany
David Bertermann: Geo-Centre of Northern Bavaria, Chair of Geology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Tim Kotz: Energie PLUS Concept GmbH, 90402 Nuremberg, Germany
Nikola Jocić: Geo-Centre of Northern Bavaria, Chair of Geology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Volker Stockinger: Department of Energy and Building, Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm, 90489 Nuremberg, Germany

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-18

Abstract: Low temperature district heating and cooling networks (5GDHC) in combination with very shallow geothermal energy potentials enable the complete renewable heating and cooling supply of settlements up to entire city districts. With the help of 5GDHC, heating and cooling can be distributed at a low temperature level with almost no distribution losses and made useable to consumers via decentralized heat pumps (HP). Numerous renewable heat sources, from wastewater heat exchangers and low-temperature industrial waste heat to borehole heat exchangers and large-scale geothermal collector systems (LSC), can be used for these networks. The use of large-scale geothermal collector systems also offers the opportunity to shift heating and cooling loads seasonally, contributing to flexibility in the heating network. In addition, the soil can be cooled below freezing point due to the strong regeneration caused by the solar irradiation. Multilayer geothermal collector systems can be used to deliberately generate excessive cooling of individual areas in order to provide cooling energy for residential buildings, office complexes or industrial applications. Planning these systems requires expertise and understanding regarding the interaction of these technologies in the overall system. This paper provides a summary of experience in planning 5GDHC with large-scale geothermal collector systems as well as other renewable heat sources.

Keywords: 5GDHC; large-scale geothermal collector; very shallow geothermal potential; vSGP (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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