Managing geothermal system risk

Building professionals reviewing their options to meet renewable energy targets frequently consider ground source heat pumps (geothermal). The benefits include load capacity (and therefore scope for carbon saving), cost and space savings, and zero impact on external building design.

However, developers of geothermal systems are faced with a number of risks, which require careful management, specifically borehole yields, licensing and thermal interference. The latter occurs where water drawn from abstraction boreholes is affected by warm water discharged via injection boreholes. This affects system efficiency and in the worst case can render a system inoperable.

Numerical modelling based on site-specific hydrogeological information is the best way to assess the thermal interference risks prior to final commissioning.

If you would like to know more about risk management in geothermal system design and integration please contact us or click on the links below:

Ground Control

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The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers