Performance analysis of ground source heat pumps for buildings applications

Geothermal heat pumps (GSHPs), or direct expansion (OX) ground source heat pumps, are a highly efficient renewable energy technology, which uses the earth, groundwater or surface water as a heat source when operating in heating mode or as a heat sink when operating in a cooling mode. It is receiving increasing interest because of its potential to reduce primary energy consumption and thus reduce emissions of GHGs. The main concept of this technology is that it utilises the lower temperature of the ground (approximately