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 % Efficient
Geothermal Heat Pump Installation Methods
Vertical Closed-Loop A 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- Loop A piping array is submerged in a pond or lake at least 8 feet deep Ground Water Open-Loop Well 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 tons Horizontal loop East Bayfield Recreation Centre, Barrie, ON 480 tons Vertical loop
Commercial Office Buildings Mission Centre Offices Kelowna, BC 120 tons, vertical loop Smith Carter Architects Winnipeg, MB 40 tons, open well loop The Heart Doctors Rapid City SD 48 tons, vertical loop
Commercial Office Buildings Manitoba Hydro Office Building Winnipeg, MB 800 tons Vertical 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.
Museums Canadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa, ON 3,200 tons Open surface water loop Grey County Museum Owen Sound, ON 120 tons, Horizontal loop Canadian War Museum Ottawa, ON
Medical Facilities Great River Medical Center, Burlington IA 1,500 tons Pond & vertical loop Courtesy of Practical GeoExchange Solutions
Schools Robert Stockton College Pomona, NJ 1,740 tons Vertical loop, 22 buildings Courtesy of Practical GeoExchange Solutions
Manufacturing Chaco Manufacturing Product: Sport footwear 22,500 sf facility (in process of expanding) Paonia, CO 40 tons Vertical loop, 32 bores x 250’ Terry Proffer Designed by Terry Proffer
Convenience Stores, Restaurants Conoco / 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 Geothermal Installed by Major Heating
Life Cycle Cost Analysis What is the typical payback for a geothermal system?
Life Cycle Cost Analysis What is the typical payback for a geothermal system? There isn’t one!!
Life Cycle Cost Analysis What the &#** !!!
Life Cycle Cost Analysis The reason why, is there are so many variations of geothermal systems.
Life Cycle Cost Analysis What you will need to know to do a comparison ?
Life Cycle Cost Analysis First Cost
Life Cycle Cost Analysis First Cost Operational Cost
Life Cycle Cost Analysis First Cost Operational Cost Maintenance Cost
Life Cycle Cost Analysis First Cost Operational Cost Maintenance Cost Energy Cost
Life Cycle Cost Analysis First Cost Operational Cost Maintenance Cost Energy Cost Replacement Cost
Life Cycle Cost Analysis Example Study done in 2006 Typical Office Building: Comparing these systems RTU w/ Gas heat & DX cooling Air-source Heat Pumps Geothermal Heat Pumps
Life Cycle Cost Analysis HVAC System First Cost Annual Periodic Cost NP Value of 30 yr Life- Cycle Cost EnergyMaintenance 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 $40,000 Year 17 $50,000 Year 17 $30,000 Year 20 $299,020 $301,922 $245,634
Life Cycle Cost Analysis 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.
Life Cycle Cost Analysis Another benefit: The use of the Geothermal HP system can reduce the annual greenhouse gas emissions by 15 tons of CO 2 equivalent over RTU’s w/ gas heat and 33 tons of CO 2 equivalent over the use of air source heat pumps
Life Cycle Cost Analysis 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 = $100,000 Annual energy savings = $12,000 Simple payback = $100,000 / $12,000 = 8.33 years
Geothermal Heat Pump Advantages
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 Pumps are one of the Most Effective and Deployable and… … 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’s 25 High-end Fractional ownership condominiums Geothermal Lake loop system in affluent pond (poop-loop) Water-to-Water heat pumps serving terminal water-to-air heat pumps in units No boiler or Chiller needed (noise and aesthetics) LEED Certified Silver Clubhouse Used no CFC or HCFC refrigerants
Case Study The Sanctuary Clubhouse and Condo’s Performance Cut gas bill by 90% compared to the heating only system used in Phase one
Case Study
Greybull Elementary School
Case Study Greybull Elementary School 36,000 SF Horizontal ground loop Air to Air Heat Recovery Units No 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
Range View Elementary School Severance, CO
Case Study
Range View Elementary School 64,189 SF Horizontal ground loop DOSA Energy Recovery Units No 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
Other Applications of GSHP Technology Large domestic water supply lines Ski area Snow melting/ Snow making
Other Applications of GSHP Technology Large domestic water supply lines Ski area Snow melting/ Snow making Oceans, lakes and rivers
Other Applications of GSHP Technology 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
Municipal and School District Planning High Schools with pools Ice rinks and Recreation Centers
Municipal and School District Planning High Schools with pools Ice rinks and Recreation Centers Waste Water Treatment Plants
Municipal and School District Planning High Schools with pools Ice rinks and Recreation Centers Waste Water Treatment Plants Indoor water parks
Municipal and School District Planning High Schools with pools Ice rinks and Recreation Centers Waste Water Treatment Plants Indoor water parks Large domestic water usage
Innovate, be creative!
Questions Contact information Craig A. Watts Principal MKK Consulting Engineers, Inc. Office PH Cell Ph