Is ground source geothermal?
Ground source is actuallt shallow geothermal and makes use of the shallow (i.g. up to 250 meters depth) earth's temperature which reflects the annual average climate. This is why the background soil temperature in Sweden might be 8 C, in the Netherland 10 C and in Spain 17 C. True geothermal energy is restricted tectonic active areas and is associated with tectonically active area' s, Geysers and hot springs.
Would you advise ground source on my project?
The use of ground source can work ideally if your project has been designed with sustainability in mind and works well with low temperature heating and high temperature cooling. A inefficient building with high energy usage is still an inefficient building, even when using ground source.
Is ground source sustainable?
Ground source is sustainable as it uses a renewable energy source as well as energy recovered from the building heating/cooling process. Moreover the Borehole Heat Exchanger wellfield is constructed out of PE100 material that has a life expectancy of more then 50 years.
If you wish to achieve this type of life span, you need to make sure that the design, the materials used and the quality of installation will allow you the 50 years.
Can I use a well based system?
Open well type applications using pumped groundwater are popular in parts of the world where the quantity and quality of the groundwater allows easy extraction and re-injection of the water. However these regions are very specific and by no means common. When considering the use of wells to pump and re-inject groundwater, do realize that even wells in favourable settings require regular maintenance a great deal of attention to keep them in operation.
In the Netherlands, where large parts of the country have favourable conditions for the use of open wells, average life expectancy of wells will be in the range of 10 to 15 years.
Is ground source cost effective?
A well designed ground source system used in the right application can be very energy efficient and cost effective. Usually ground source has the lowest life cycle costings of any sustainable and renewable technology.
Poorly designed ground source systems save little energy and are not cost effective and usually very maintenance prone.
Do I need a permit to install ground source?
Apart from specified zones, such as surrounding groundwater pumping stations, a permit or permission to install a ground source installation is not requirerd. However it is good practice to inform the EA (Environment Agency) of the intended installation and on what measures are taken to limit the environmental impact.
Is a design necessary?
To answer the above questions before you actually install and run a ground source system, design is essential.
What basic information do you need?
Basic information required for a first design approach and energy savings for a groundsource installation is:
- Location and general project information on mechanical services
- Anticipated annual heating & cooling loads(mWh) on groundsource
- Anticipated peak loads (kW) heating and cooling
- Any site limitation with regard to BHE installtion (i.e. specific area)
Are there grants and subsidies?
Groundsource is considered a "green" and renewable technology and therefore eligeble under different grant schemes.
Groenholland UK Ltd. are a certified groundsource installer under the Micro generation Scheme (MCS 1201).