Influence of GSHP system design parameters on the geothermal application capacity and electricity consumption at city-scale for Westminster, London

A city-scale renewable energy network for heating and cooling can significantly contribute to reduction of fossil fuel utilization and meeting the renewable energy targets. Ground source heat pump (GSHP) system is a technology that transfers heat stored over long periods to/from the ground to heat/cool the buildings. In particular, a vertical closed loop GSHP is a viable choice in densely populated urban areas. In this study, an ArcGIS-based simulation model has been developed to examine how many vertical closed loop GSHPs can be feasibly installed at city scale without overusing the geothermal energy underground. City of Westminster, in London, is used as a case study to identify and map areas where GSHPs can serve as a viable option for heating and/or cooling. A parametric study has been conducted to investigate the influence of how space heating and cooling demand is quantified on the potential utility of GSHP systems. The influence of COP variation during operation is also examined. The operational variation of COP influences the electricity consumption of the GSHP systems. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis including the capital cost, C/D ratio distribution, energy demand, and financial risk is highly recommended for district-level planning of GSHP systems.The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by BP under the project: ‘Potential of low grade geothermal energy at city scale’ and by the Low Carbon Energy University Alliance (LCEUA) of Cambridge University-Tsinghua University-MIT.This is the author accepted manuscript. It is under embargo until 31/07/2016. The final version is available from Elsevier at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.07.06