In this context, the GEO.POWER project has been de- veloped to exchange examples of best practice re- lated to low enthalpy energy supply and, after a tech-.
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Reproducing GCHP investments: a common methodology to evaluate the degree of success Beatrice M.S Giambastiani , Micòl Mastrocicco
Introduction Determined to fight against climate change, the EU
potential of reproducibility, to prepare action plans for
is committed to reducing its own greenhouse gas
the large scale introduction of Ground-Coupled Heat
emissions by at least 20% by 2020 (compared with
Pumps (GCHP) in each of the project partner regions.
1990 levels) mainly by improving the use of renewable energy and curbing energy consumption. The exploitation of geothermal energy, especially lowenthalpy power generation utilizing Ground-Coupled Heat Pump (GCHP) systems, is rapidly becoming an attractive and viable alternative.
Heat pumps engine room of the District Heating System at Casaglia (Ferrara, Italy)
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After an exchange of experiences based on some outstanding examples of the use of geothermal heat with high replication potential and strong market prospects, the second phase of GEO.POWER focused on the transferability assessment of the selected twelve example of best practice into each partner’s
In this context, the GEO.POWER project has been de-
region, by means of the SWOT analysis that was de-
veloped to exchange examples of best practice re-
signed to recognize advantages and disadvantages
lated to low enthalpy energy supply and, after a tech-
of the technologies and their opportunities for future
nical and cost/benefit assessment to evaluate the
development and penetration in the target areas.
SWOT analysis in the second phase of the GEO.POWER project, the
areas where the selected technologies could be pro-
partners went through a SWOT analysis to estimate
moted for future replication; the latter (is this what
the weaknesses and potential for the application and
you mean here? Are you referring to the threats?) was
adaptation of GCHP technologies in their territories,
based more on the market situation, environment,
based on the local technical, economic and environ-
and competition with other energy sources, etc.
mental situation. The SWOT analysis is based both on an internal analysis, which has the objective to carefully define Strengths (S) and Weaknesses (W) of the selected examples of best practice with the objective to define the technical aspects of the technology applied (such as energy efficiency, reliability, economic efficiency, etc.), and on an external analysis, concerning Opportunities (O) and Threats (T) of the target
Each partner was asked to select at least three GEO. POWER examples of best practice in order to examine their transferability, under a variety of different combinations of parameters in regards to current market situation, environment, location, legislation, financial incentives, application and type of installation, energy and cost efficiency.
Transferability assessment Weighting factors were assigned to each com-
according to its degree of transferability (from 2 for
ponent of the SWOT analysis. In order to assess
“very high transferability” to -2 for “very poor trans-
the transferability of the selected examples, each
ferability”). Each example of best practice was then
weighting factor value was multiplied by a score,
given a rank and its transferability assessed. This
Matrix of GCHP best practices’ transferability potential (red circles indicate the most transferable BP, while blue circles indicate the less transferable)
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unified methodology allowed the comparison of
From a technical point of view, it is a system that
SWOT analyses from all partners with each other.
significantly reduces the use of gas and electricity
The three most transferable applications are sum-
for heating and cooling, leading to cost reductions;
marized below.
while, from the environmental point of view, replace-
Taking into account the scores of both internal and external analyses, the most transferable example
ment of conventional heating systems would reduce gas emissions.
of best practice are TELENOR building (HU) and the
Some limits could be represented by the applicabil-
Strawberry Garden in Antwerp (BE) while less trans-
ity in different climate conditions (if winter tempera-
ferable ones are the 1-family house in Ohldshorf (AT)
tures are too low more energy is needed for cultiva-
and Arlanda airport (SE).
tion and so the energy efficiency is compromised) or
The strengths of the Telenor building transferability lie in its energy efficiency, avoided gas emissions and
by the reluctance of some farmers to abandon the old production system and cultivation techniques.
small environmental impact. Although the build-
Moreover in some countries there are very few ref-
ing is large, the HP system, the flat plate collectors
erences regarding this type of installation in the
for sanitary hot water production and the intelligent
agricultural sector; in some countries environmen-
building management are transferable for smaller
tal permits are required for open loop system and
offices. Also the degree of innovation and ‘green’ en-
ATES (Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage) technology;
gineering solutions were appreciated. The investor
in some countries the market for this sort of green-
interest in this type of building could be high, as well
house is small because there is a strong competition
as the visibility of the example of best practice being
from international large scale greenhouses with bet-
the headquarters of one of the most famous mobile
ter climate conditions that can produce vegetables
and broadband service companies.
at lower costs.
The strengths of the Strawberry Garden are the
Concerning the 1-family house, besides the good
geothermal and agricultural potential considering
energy performance and efficiency of the system
that many partners have large areas suitable for ag-
(heat pumps with direct expansion have higher ef-
riculture and they already have existing greenhouses
ficiency than usual ones), the market share is de-
that could be converted in order to satisfy the inves-
creasing due to the great attention and consistency
tor interest to make higher profits from selling out
needed in laying the pipes and because for direct
of season vegetables and fruits instead of importing.
expansion systems specific circumstances are required. The advantages are the low installation cost (with direct expansion initial investment is quite low because the majority of the production is based on conventional techniques), the minimal technical maintenance and the simplified management. The limitations are the big area of free space
Presentation of the SWOT analyses results to assess the potential of transferability
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needed for the installation of the ground heat exchanger which limits the applicability in densely built up areas and the degree of acceptance for this technology.
The world’s largest energy storage unit − the aquifer
for GCHP applications is the lack of government reg-
that supplies space cooling and heating for Arlanda
ulations and significant incentives for renewable en-
Airport − will reduce the airport’s annual electricity
ergies, in particular for geothermal energy more than
consumption by 4 GWh (no longer needed for op-
other renewable energy sources. Government in-
eration of electrical chillers) and its district heating
centives or tax deductions are necessary to promote
consumption by around 15 GWh making a total of 19
the use of heat pumps, as the English and Sweden
GWh. The system efficiency is world class. Large in-
experience demonstrate. Despite its high value, low-
frastructure systems such as that at Arlanda Airport
enthalpy geothermal energy cannot compete effec-
(or the district heating system of Casaglia in Italy),
tively with conventional energy sources (gas and oil)
are less easy to transfer due to the construction
without significant financial and political support.
size required, market-related, economic and technical reasons although the energy efficiency would be high, and the environmental impact very low. Moreover this sort of project would create many job opportunities and the visibility and promotional activity would be high.
Also the visibility of the examples of best practice and promotional activities are still limited and this certainly has to be made a priority, as indeed it has been for the GEO.POWER project. The opportunities are numerous: what could increase the number of GCHP installations is the wide
Conclusion
applicability of these systems to different climatic
The GEO.POWER project has facilitated knowledge
ing the efficiency of the system. It appears that more
and information sharing to address the long-term
advanced and complex GCHP systems need more
investment strategy for GCHP application on a large
thorough transferability actions.
scale in each partner’s area.
and hydrogeological conditions without compromis-
The fact that the economy is in recession is the issue
The SWOT analysis and transferability assessment
that may need the most attention. So, the set-up of
highlighted that the choice of a specific GCHP instal-
adequate feed-in tariffs and other incentives could
lation is determined primarily by the ability to achieve
help to overcome the sizeable upfront investment
optimal efficiency with lowest possible energy con-
costs and risks before pay-back. The action plans
sumption and to meet the needs of consumers.
developed by each partner (summarised in chapter
Overall local markets for GCHP installations in all partners’ regions are characterized by neutral to positive market opportunities where limited market
3 of this publication) have to address these points in order to increase the selling power and competitiveness of geothermal energy.
segment, economy in recession (i.e. Italy, Slovenia and Greece), rising taxation and high price sensitivity are counterbalanced by increasing growth rates, increasing customer and investor interest, and high possibility to attract cooperation and create new jobs. Geothermal power is still underestimated in many regions (such as Italy and Hungary) taking the potential into consideration. In many cases, the main threat to the development of long-term investments
Study visit at the Avenue Centre in Reading (UK)
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