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Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal Heat Pumps are also know as ground-source, ground-coupled, earth energy
and GeoExchange. We have demonstrated system performance in residential and commercial
buildings, based on comprehensive field monitoring. We have collected field data for
dozens of systems from, New York, Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina. The analyses
include evaluation of efficiency, energy use, comfort, and installation methods, along
with assessments of the local market. Technologies include open loop, closed loop
vertical, horizontal, slinky, direct expansion (DX), and other configurations. |
Selected Projects:
Fond du Lac High School GeoExchange Showcase - Prototype Data Access
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Energy Center of Wisconsin |
| Demonstrating the performance
of the largest GeoExchange system in Wisconsin. The high school spans
402,000 sq ft with 2,200 occupants. The GX system uses two 6 acres ponds
to couple to the earth. The building DDC monitors key operating conditions
for a performance assessment. The project seeks to provide feedback about the
system design, installation, operation and performance to the building community
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Geothermal Heat Pump Feasibility Studies for Wisconsin Schools
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Wisconsin Department of Administration - Energy Bureau |
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Developed feasibility studieson GHP technologies for a high school in Fond du Lac
and a middle school in Waupaca. Also developed the background information
and issues that need to be addressed for this technology within a feasibility study
framework, to transfer the ability to perform these studies to practicing
design engineers.
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Enhanced Residential Heat Pumps - Data Summary
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EnergyCenter of Wisconsin |
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Evaluated the status of enhanced heat pumps in the state of Wisconsin. Assessed the
potential of ground-source and engine-driven heat pump technologies in the state, summarizing
current and expected market trends, and field monitoring eight demonstration sites. The
assessment focused on identifying promising heat pump technologies and installation techniques,
demonstrating their economic and environmental benefits through field monitoring, and determining
the best paths towards transforming markets to accept enhanced heat pump technologies. |
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Demonstration of Commercial Building Loop Technologies and System Performance -
Residential Geothermal Heat Pump Demonstration -
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Duke Power |
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Monitored 12 residential geothermal heat pump system to demonstrate loop, system, and desuperheater
performance. Monitoring included electric sub-metering, ground loop temperatures, air-sideconditions
and statuses in sufficient detail to perform energy balances on the systems. Measured loads were used
to drive computer models of alternative systems for comparison. |
Ground-Source Heat Pump Market Assessment and Performance Monitoring -
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Empire State Electric Energy Research Corporation |
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Assessed the state-of-the art in geothermal heat pump and ground
loop technologies applicable to the New York market. Demonstrated four residential technologies
with comprehensive performance monitoring including direct expansion loop systems and water loops.
Compared the economic and technical potential of GHPs to conventional; systems and provided supporting
information for members to use in promoting the technology. |
Evaluation of a Geothermal Heat Pump Subdivision -
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Jackson Electric Membership Coop. |
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National Rural Electric Cooperative Assoc. |
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Field monitored 14 geothermal heat pump sites in Georgia with various types of ground heat exchangers
including vertical, horizontal, and slinky loops. Analyzed monitored data to determine the impact of
loop design, quantify desuperheater performance,and compare GHP performance to several base case and
alternative systems. |
Field Test of Ground-Source Heat Pump Water Heater -
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New England Power Service Company |
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Evaluated a ground-source heat pump water heater to determine economic and technical performance.
Particular attention was paid to determining the impact on an existing space heating ground-source
heat pump. |
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