Hybrid systems that make use of an artificially geothermal environment have the same basis as the net geothermal systems. Thermal and cooling loads are exchanged with an energy level, that consists of burner-boiler and cooling tower system, aiming at the maintenance of constant water temperatures in the circuit of distribution in the interior of building (equal or below 20 oC). During the winter period, thermal loads are drawn from the burner-boiler, while at the summer period the thermal loads are rejected though the cooling tower, placed on the loft of the building. The total amount of energy saving is about 45%, compared with a conventional way of heating. The main advantage of this type of hybrid systems is that they provide the simultaneous heating and cooling, to separate zones of the building, with no need of installation of a four-pipe system. There are two choices for the air conditioning of the interior of the building, either the installation of console units, or the installation of geothermal water to air heat pumps connected to air ducts. The replacement of the existing fan coil units with console units can involve money saving up to 45%, in an existing hybrid system. |
Console units are a specific type of geothermal water to air heat pumps. They have noiseless and simple operation with controlled temperature and can provide autonomy of heating and cooling in each space. Heating can be applied in a space and cooling in another, simultaneously. This fact leads to thermal and cooling loads equalization, which in turn minimizes the hybrid consumption of the equipment. Flexibility, energy and money saving that come up from their operation, make them a profitable solution for big urban buildings with high energy requirements. The operation of system remains undisturbed by the number of units. |
Geothermal water to air heat pumps with air ducts can be installed in big spaces, providing temperature and air speed control. Depending on the space design, there is an option of roof or floor units. The roof units are placed on furred ceiling, while the floor units are placed on some small space in each floor. In multilevel urban buildings, more than one geothermal water to air heat pumps are used and consequently there is the possibility of simultaneous heating of one floor and cooling of another. |