geothermal earth’s energy solution

Geothermal Earth’s Energy Solution

Craig A. Watts PE, LEED AP

Principal at MKK Consulting Engineers•Consulting for 20 years•Numerous Geothermal projects•Multiple LEED Certified Projects

Geo 101

While the Earth travels through Space…..

Geo 101

…it absorbs Energy from the Sun

Geo 101

This natural Energy Collection and Storage System captures nearly half of the Solar Energy falling on Earth…

…thus maintaining a nearly Constant Temperature throughout

the year just below the surface

Geo 101

Earth Energy ….It’s not New

•Earth Energy System was Patented in 1912 in Switzerland

•Residential System installed in Canada in 1950

Geo 101

Mr. Bill Loosley installed geothermal system in his home in Burlington, ON in 1950

Heat Pumps Systems are Reliable

Geo 101

Compressor was initially powered by hand crank diesel motor… changed to electric motor (still being used!!) in 1953 when his wife couldn’t start it

Heat Pump Systems are Reliable

Geo 101

Geothermal Heat Pump Systems combine Sun, Earth and Water

using proven technology…

… to create “the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space-

conditioning system”

(according to U.S. EPA 1993)

Geo 101

Geothermal Heat Pump Basis Principals

Geothermal Heat Pump Efficiency

One unit of energy from the grid

Plus:3-5 units of energy

from the earth

Yields:4-6 units of energy

for the building

400-600% Efficient

Geothermal Heat Pump

Installation Methods

Vertical Closed-LoopA pair of pipes with a special U-bend assembly at the bottom is placed into bore holes from 150 to 400 feet deep

Horizontal Closed-Loop A piping array is installed in trenches cut 3 to 5 feet deep and hundreds of feet in length

Surface Water Closed-LoopA piping array is submerged in a pond or lake at least 8 feet deep

Ground WaterOpen-LoopWell water from an underground aquifer is pumped through the geothermal heat pump and then returned to the aquifer or discharged to the surface

GSHP Systems

• GeoExchange systems can go in anywhere, but….– The design team must understand the

building requirements– Assess the site before advancing to the

design stage– Utilize existing site resources to enhance

the system and reduce installation costs– Be aware of regional geology and

contractor assets/capabilities

What kind of applications can utilize a GSHP system?

Recreation Facilities

Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, Port Hawkesbury, NS

265 tonsHorizontal loop

East Bayfield Recreation Centre, Barrie, ON

480 tonsVertical loop

Commercial Office Buildings

Mission Centre OfficesKelowna, BC

120 tons, vertical loop

Smith Carter ArchitectsWinnipeg, MB

40 tons, open well loop

The Heart DoctorsRapid City SD

48 tons, vertical loop

Commercial Office Buildings

Manitoba Hydro Office BuildingWinnipeg, MB

800 tonsVertical GHX (under building)

Courtesy of Practical GeoExchange Solutions

Churches

The new building of 6,340 sq. ft. (589 m2). Warm water for a radiant floor heat system is supplied by a water-water heat pump. Chilled water is supplied to fan coil to provide cooling.

Thermal ice storage integrated with a 12-ton geothermal system provides 26 tons of cooling

Retail Stores

South East Farm Equipment dealership is a 40,000 square foot building with repair garage.

Open well system provides heating and cooling.

MuseumsCanadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa, ON

3,200 tonsOpen surface water loop

Grey County Museum Owen Sound, ON

120 tons, Horizontal loop

Canadian War MuseumOttawa, ON

Medical Facilities

Great River Medical Center, Burlington IA

1,500 tonsPond & vertical loop


Schools

Robert Stockton CollegePomona, NJ

1,740 tonsVertical loop, 22 buildings


Manufacturing

Chaco ManufacturingProduct: Sport footwear22,500 sf facility(in process of expanding)Paonia, CO

40 tonsVertical loop, 32 bores x 250’

Terry Proffer

Designed by Terry Proffer

Convenience Stores, RestaurantsConoco / Wendy’s, Frisco, CO

40 tons water to water & water to air provides space conditioning, domestic hot water, snowmelt and radiant floor heating

Heat recovery to GHX from store refrigeration

54 x 400’ vertical bores

Dual bay car wash

60 tons water to water heat pump

Snowmelt at vehicle entry and exit

Auxiliary gas boiler for snowmelt to account for unknown durations

Designed by Major GeothermalInstalled by Major Heating

Life Cycle Cost Analysis

•What is the typical payback for a geothermal system?


•What is the typical payback for a geothermal system?

•There isn’t one!!


•What the &#** !!!


•The reason why, is there are so many variations of geothermal systems.


•What you will need to know to do a comparison ?


•First Cost


•First Cost•Operational Cost


•First Cost•Operational Cost•Maintenance Cost


•First Cost•Operational Cost•Maintenance Cost•Energy Cost


•First Cost•Operational Cost•Maintenance Cost•Energy Cost•Replacement Cost


•Example Study done in 2006

Typical Office Building: Comparing these systems

•RTU w/ Gas heat & DX cooling

•Air-source Heat Pumps•Geothermal Heat Pumps


HVAC System

First Cost

Annual Annual Periodic

Cost NP Value of 30 yr Life-Cycle Cost

Energy Maintenance

1. RTU

2. AS HP

3. Geo HP

$114,610

$139,824

$160,600

$8,226

$6,803

$3,852

$4,476

$4,069

$1,899

$40,000Year 17$50,000Year 17$30,000Year 20

$299,020

$301,922

$245,634


In terms of simple annual cash flows, the Geothermal HP system has a simple payback of 6.6 years and 4.1 years with respect to the RTU and Air-Source HP systems.

Neglecting the annual maintenance cost and only considering the energy savings, the simple payback is 10.5 years and 7.0 years with respect to the RTU and Air-Source HP systems.


Another benefit:

The use of the Geothermal HP system can reduce the annual greenhouse gas emissions by 15 tons of CO2 equivalent over RTU’s w/ gas heat and 33 tons of CO2 equivalent over the use of air source heat pumps


Simple payback:

The difference in first cost divided by the energy savings per year equals the number of years to recover the initial investment.

First cost difference = $100,000Annual energy savings = $12,000Simple payback = $100,000 / $12,000 =

8.33 years

Geothermal Heat PumpAdvantages

Proven Technology •Millions of units installed world-wide in commercial and residential applications

Most Energy-Efficient and Environmentally Friendly HVAC System Widely Available

•Water is a better heat transfer medium than air•Heat exchange loops tap the renewable energy of the Earth

No Fossil Fuel•Improves safety•Eliminates service lines, flues, outside air intakes•No site emissions

No Outdoor Units•Better aesthetics•No noise•No vandalism or theft concerns

Long Equipment Life•Factory sealed systems•Indoor installation – no exposure to the elements•Moderate compressor loading vs. air-source systems

Self Contained Compact Units•Easy to install within the building•Upflow, horizontal, or downflow single-package units•Split system and water-to-water units available

Geothermal Heat Pumpsare one of the Most Effective

and Deployableand…

… produce the lowest carbon dioxide emissions, including all source effects, of all available

space-conditioning technologies(EPA, 1993)

Using a Single Geothermal Heat Pump is Equivalent to

Planting an Acre of Trees

Using A Single Geothermal Heat Pump Is Equivalent to

Taking Two Cars off the Road

Case Study

•The Sanctuary Club House and Condominiums

Case Study

• The Sanctuary Clubhouse and Condo’s25 High-end Fractional ownership condominiums

Geothermal Lake loop system in affluent pond (poop-loop)Water-to-Water heat pumps serving terminalwater-to-air heat pumps in unitsNo boiler or Chiller needed (noise and aesthetics)LEED Certified Silver ClubhouseUsed no CFC or HCFC refrigerants

Case Study

• The Sanctuary Clubhouse and Condo’sPerformance

Cut gas bill by 90% compared to the heatingonly system used in Phase one

Case Study

Case Study

•Greybull Elementary School

Case Study

• Greybull Elementary School36,000 SF

Horizontal ground loopAir to Air Heat Recovery UnitsNo boiler or Chiller needed (noise and aesthetics)Registered for LEED NC Silver Used no CFC or HCFC refrigerants

Exceeded ASHRAE 90.1 by 38%

Case Study

Case Study

•Range View Elementary School

Severance, CO

Case Study

Case Study

• Range View Elementary School64,189 SF

Horizontal ground loopDOSA Energy Recovery UnitsNo boiler or Chiller needed (noise and aesthetics)Used no CFC or HCFC refrigerants

Exceeded ASHRAE 90.1 by 45%

Other Applications of GSHP Technology

• Large domestic water supply lines


• Large domestic water supply lines• Ski area Snow melting/ Snow making


• Large domestic water supply lines• Ski area Snow melting/ Snow making• Oceans, lakes and rivers


• Large domestic water supply lines• Ski area Snow melting/ Snow making• Oceans, lakes and rivers • Integrated into structure of building

Municipal and School District Planning

• High Schools with pools


• High Schools with pools• Ice rinks and Recreation Centers


• High Schools with pools• Ice rinks and Recreation Centers• Waste Water Treatment Plants


• High Schools with pools• Ice rinks and Recreation Centers• Waste Water Treatment Plants• Indoor water parks


• High Schools with pools• Ice rinks and Recreation Centers• Waste Water Treatment Plants• Indoor water parks• Large domestic water usage

Innovate, be creative!

QuestionsContact information

Craig A. WattsPrincipal

MKK Consulting Engineers, Inc.Office PH 303-796-6005Cell Ph 303-523-6086

Email [email protected]

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