Evaluation of the Seasonal Energy Performance of a Dual-Source Heat Pump Through Dynamic Experimental Tests

Christian Natale, Matteo Dongellini, Claudia Naldi () and Gian Luca Morini
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Christian Natale: Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
Matteo Dongellini: Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
Claudia Naldi: Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
Gian Luca Morini: Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-20

Abstract: In this work, the seasonal performance of a dual-source heat pump (DSHP) prototype, able to exploit aerothermal and geothermal energy, was assessed experimentally. The unit, operated under the working conditions of two representative heating days (RDs), was coupled to a real undersized borehole heat exchanger (BHE) field. A distributed temperature sensing (DTS) system, installed in the borefield, was adopted to monitor the ground thermal response during the DSHP operation. In order to compare the DSHP performance to that of a traditional air-source heat pump (ASHP), the same RDs were reproduced in the test rig operating the DSHP in air mode only, and then exploiting both heat sources. Comparing the efficiency of the DSHP and ASHP, it is noticed that the additional exploitation of geothermal energy can increase system efficiency by up to 3% on a seasonal basis. Indeed, the DSHP coupled to an undersized BHE can operate in ground mode until it is energy-efficient; then, the required building load is supplied by exploiting the aerothermal energy source. In this way, the BHE investment cost can be reduced, and the ground temperature drift originating from unbalanced building loads can be limited through the smart exploitation of both sources.

Keywords: dual-source heat pump; distributed temperature sensing system; daily experimental tests; undersized borehole heat exchanger field; seasonal performance (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: 2025
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