A Comparative Energy and Economic Analysis between a Low Enthalpy Geothermal Design and Gas, Diesel and Biomass Technologies for a HVAC System Installed in an Office Building

José Ignacio Villarino, Alberto Villarino, I. de Arteaga, Roberto Quinteros and Alejandro Alañón
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José Ignacio Villarino: Department of Construction and Agronomy, Construction Engineering Area, High Polytechnic School of Ávila, University of Salamanca, Hornos Caleros, 50, 05003 Ávila, Spain
Alberto Villarino: Department of Construction and Agronomy, Construction Engineering Area, High Polytechnic School of Ávila, University of Salamanca, Hornos Caleros, 50, 05003 Ávila, Spain
I. de Arteaga: Facultad de Ingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería Mecánica, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Av. Los Carrera 01567, Quilpué 2430000, Chile
Roberto Quinteros: Facultad de Ingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería Mecánica, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Av. Los Carrera 01567, Quilpué 2430000, Chile
Alejandro Alañón: Department of Construction and Agronomy, Construction Engineering Area, High Polytechnic School of Ávila, University of Salamanca, Hornos Caleros, 50, 05003 Ávila, Spain

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: This paper presents an analysis of economic and energy between a ground-coupled heat pump system and other available technologies, such as natural gas, biomass, and diesel, providing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning to an office building. All the proposed systems are capable of reaching temperatures of 22 °C/25 °C in heating and cooling modes. EnergyPlus software was used to develop a simulation model and carry out the validation process. The first objective of the paper is the validation of the numerical model developed in EnergyPlus with the experimental results collected from the monitored building to evaluate the system in other operating conditions and to compare it with other available technologies. The second aim of the study is the assessment of the position of the low enthalpy geothermal system proposed versus the rest of the systems, from energy, economic, and environmental aspects. In addition, the annual heating and cooling seasonal energy efficiency ratio (COP sys ) of the ground-coupled heat pump (GCHP) shown is higher than the others. The economic results determine a period between 6 and 9 years for the proposed GCHP system to have lower economic cost than the rest of the systems. The results obtained determine that the GCHP proposed system can satisfy the thermal demand in heating and cooling conditions, with optimal environmental values and economic viability.

Keywords: low enthalpy geothermal system; renewable energy; simulation models; energy analysis; economic feasibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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