Ground Source Energy - Client Packages

ESI has specifically designed a set of packages to meet the needs of particular categories of clients that require specialist support. These packages are summarised as follows:

Specialist support expert verification

The absence of widely accepted industry standards and regulatory guidance for ground source energy schemes often leaves space for ambiguity of judgement on behalf of local authorities and regulators. ESI is widely acknowledged as a company that has a sound scientific approach to practical and applied problems. We can review and optimise GSH project specifications and design parameters to meet the requirements of the regulator.

Detailed groundwater modelling support

There is undeniable evidence that detailed groundwater modelling of heat transport can reduce the installation and running costs of open loop schemes by reducing over-dimensioning. Under-dimensioning will put unnecessary strain on the heat pumps and compromise long term efficiency of the scheme. The benefits of detailed groundwater modelling for the client extends to assessing the long-term sustainability of open loop ground source energy systems by predicting heat break-through at the abstraction well and by assessing the heat plume interference in densely urbanised areas. Thermogeological modelling is beneficial for big closed loop systems that require vertical borehole heat exchangers. The release of FeFlow 5.4 is a valued resource in assessing the thermal interaction between adjacent borehole heat exchangers. Our highly skilled team of hydrogeologist and modellers have years of experience in groundwater and thermogeological modelling and can deliver elegant solutions to highly complex projects.

Contractors support

Many drilling contractors, supplies contractors and installers have some in-house capabilities for delivering the physical ground source energy scheme but may be lacking the designing and assessment expertise for the more complex schemes. We offer our complete tiered approach package to these clients that will assist them from the pre-feasibility stage to the complete detailed design specifications, including cost analysis and long term efficiency analysis of the scheme.

Regulatory negotiation

The Environment Agency has recently identified the key issues connected to ground source energy systems in their 'Groundwater protection (GP3): Part 4'. Some general policies are outlined in the document but no clear guidelines are given. The absence of clear regulatory guidance in the UK does not always homogenise the approach to ground source energy installations on the regulatory front. Many of the identified issues are tackled differently by different regulatory bodies. This creates confusion within the industry and discourages the adoption of the technology. ESI has a long track record in regulatory negotiation and has established a good network with regulatory bodies. Our experience will help deliver ground source energy projects in a timely and cost effective manner.

Best practise and development of methodologies

ESI recognises that ground source energy is in its infancy when compared to other conventional and well established heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems (HVAC). The industry acknowledges that the lack of standards and guidance, coupled with installation costs and poor design, are the main barriers to the widespread use of this technology. ESI is keen to sponsor and join R&D projects that will promote the development of standards and good design. This will ultimately reduce the installation costs of ground source energy solutions.