Geothermal heat pumps （GHPs） are an attractive proposition for renewable energy worldwide as it uses energy naturally stored in the earth. The Earth is a very resourceful form of energy, using the natural solar ener...Geothermal heat pumps （GHPs） are an attractive proposition for renewable energy worldwide as it uses energy naturally stored in the earth. The Earth is a very resourceful form of energy, using the natural solar energy collection and heat storage capabilities as an infinite heat source/heat sink at the base of permeable pavements, which can provide excellent temperature gradients for GHP＇s. Experimental rigs were setup up at The University of Edinbttrgh for a combined permeable pavement and GHP system. At the base of a pavement structure （approximately 1 meter） below the ground＇s surface, temperatures are constant of 10℃ in the U.K all year round. The GHP performance efficiency was analysed by the coefficient of performance （COP） in a heating cycle and the energy efficiency ratio （EER） in a cooling cycle. The mean COP and EER for both systems averaged between 2-4.5 and 3-5 respectively. The combined GHP and pavement structure operated at an optimum efficiency for both heating and cooling cycles and has shown to be unaffected by higher summer or lower winter temperatures. This hybrid system is an attractive renewable energy technology and has additional environmental benefits such as urban runoff reuse and recycling.展开更多
文摘Geothermal heat pumps （GHPs） are an attractive proposition for renewable energy worldwide as it uses energy naturally stored in the earth. The Earth is a very resourceful form of energy, using the natural solar energy collection and heat storage capabilities as an infinite heat source/heat sink at the base of permeable pavements, which can provide excellent temperature gradients for GHP＇s. Experimental rigs were setup up at The University of Edinbttrgh for a combined permeable pavement and GHP system. At the base of a pavement structure （approximately 1 meter） below the ground＇s surface, temperatures are constant of 10℃ in the U.K all year round. The GHP performance efficiency was analysed by the coefficient of performance （COP） in a heating cycle and the energy efficiency ratio （EER） in a cooling cycle. The mean COP and EER for both systems averaged between 2-4.5 and 3-5 respectively. The combined GHP and pavement structure operated at an optimum efficiency for both heating and cooling cycles and has shown to be unaffected by higher summer or lower winter temperatures. This hybrid system is an attractive renewable energy technology and has additional environmental benefits such as urban runoff reuse and recycling.
