Geothermal Earth Energy Peter Gagnon R.P.F. Simply Superior Services
Geo means Earth Thermal means Heat Geothermal energy is the natural heat of the Earth
Source of Geothermal Energy Heat Flows outward from the Earth s Interior The Curst insulates us from Earth s interior heat The Mantle is semi-molten, the outer core is liquid and the inner core is solid
Source of Earth Energy Steam Heat Earth Absorption 700 3,000 nm Earth Energy Heat Surface Heat Reservoir Very Hot Deep Earth Reservoir Core
Geothermal and Earth Energy
Capturing Geothermal Energy Integrated Community System
Capturing Geothermal Energy Simple System In 1904 1 st demonstration. Emerging steam powered a turbine to light 5 light bulbs World s first Geothermal Power Station. 1911 in Tuscany, Italy By 1913 a 250 kw power station had been built and was used to power the Italian electric railway system. Today world production is 5 TWh, or 10%
Heat Pump Ground Loops Single Homes Points to Consider Size of the system Ground loop design Soil Type, Depth and Consistency Land area available Vertical: 1 borehole 60 m deep per ton of heat load (or 12,000 BTU) Horizontal: 1 trench 3 m by 106 m per ton of heat load
Heat Pump Ground Loops & Deep Water Cooling Multi Unit Dwellings Same principles apply for commercial/institutional settings In room systems compartmentalized and operate independently Integration with Solar PV can help optimize benefits
Capturing Earth Energy I Geothermal Heat Pumps provide heat in the winter and cool air in the summer best of both worlds Residential and commercial/institutional scale is available. Geothermal heat pumps can be used anywhere in the world without a geothermal reservoir. The insulating properties of the earth, just below our feet, can keep us warm or cool!!
Capturing Earth Energy II Earth s temperature is approximately 13ºC can be used for heating or cooling Heat pumps act like solar hot water heaters, using a liquid to transfer heat The heat pump draws heat from the earth and pumps it up to the building to be used for either a forced air or radiant system Costs based on a 4,000 square foot home/building New home = $17,500 Old home retrofit = $22,500 Do it yourself kits = $8,000
Capturing Earth Energy III Replacing your natural gas furnace is equivalent to parking 2 cars for a year. EPA: Geothermal heat pump systems are the most energy efficient, environmentally clean, and cost effective space conditioning systems available
How it Works The Simple Side Geothermal heating, cooling and water heating collects or releases heat from water circulated through pipes buried in the Earth. The pipes connect to electrically powered heat pumps inside the house. Heating Water running through pipes collects heat from the Earth and circulates warm air throughout a building or home Cooling In the summer, the geothermal heat pump reverses this heat moving process, effectively air conditioning a building
Installation Retro-fit Construction Sites New Construction Sites
Geothermal Installation
Geothermal Installation
Geothermal Installation
Technology & Operation Home Space & Water Heating 3 Basic Components A ground loop A heat pump A heat distribution system Ground Loop: a series of high density polyethylene pipes in soil or water A water and antifreeze mix circulates through the pipes and is pumped directly into the heat pump in the home.
Technology & Operation How the Heat Pump Works Earth Home Heat pumps transfer heat by circulating refrigerant through a cycle of alternating evaporation and condensation. A compressor pumps the refrigerant between 2 heat exchanger coils. In one coil, the refrigerant is evaporated at low pressure and absorbs heat from its surroundings (blue). The refrigerant is then compressed in route to the other coil where it condenses at high pressure (red). At this point, it releases the heat it absorbed earlier in the cycle.
Benefits of Heat Pumps They can be used almost everywhere world wide They are energy and cost efficient They conserve fossil fuel reserves and enable their use for higher value products They provide clean heating and cooling with no emissions from burning fuels
Earth Energy Advantages Uses 25% 50% less energy than conventional heating and cooling Improved humidity control Can be retrofitted Long lasting, quiet and easily accessible Less expensive to operate and maintain Investment return of 3 to 10 years.or less It can work in land or water lots of flexibility They conserve fossil fuel reserves and enable their use for higher value products They provide clean heating and cooling with no emissions from burning fuels
Earth Energy Disadvantages High initial cost, particularly for retrofitting Horizontal ground loop systems which are the least expensive require a hectare This can be addressed by combining vertical and slinky systems to reduce spatial requirements A qualified installer is recommended. However, this does open the door to financial grants that do not come with a do it yourself operation.
Successful Geothermal Applications A virtual view of the borehole thermal energy storage system at UOIT, showing the grid of boreholes and the building that will be around them including the new OPG Engineering Building and Automotive Centre of Excellence.
Questions 95% of people who installed a heat pump said they would recommend heat pumps.and do it again!