Borehole active recharge benefit quantification on a community level low carbon heating system

Abstract

This paper quantifies the benefit of the borehole array summer active recharge in the context of a small community heating system. The system uses a low carbon energy chain - specifically photovoltaic panels to supply electricity, a borehole array for heat storage, an air source heat pump for summer active recharge and a ground source heat pump for heating supply in the winter. By comparing two different charging strategies and non-charged base scenario, the benefit can be quantified in reduced electricity consumption and carbon emission reduction. This research gives an indication of the system efficiency and consequent reduction of electricity consumption and carbon emissions for a small community. The results provide a starting point for a feasibility study into inter-seasonal storage of community-level energy hubs.