Ground Source Energy - More Information

The exploitation of geothermal energy is known to be a carbon efficient solution for space heating or cooling.  Ground source energy (GSE) typically allows buildings to exceed the 10% renewable energy planning target, allows for tax deductions and allows for access to grant schemes.  Several studies have shown that a reduction of up to 50% in CO2 emissions can be achieved with geothermal solutions in large open spaces like office and commercial buildings when compared to conventional heating or cooling systems. Building Research Establishment Ltd (BRE) has acknowledged this within their BREEAM environmental assessment method. However, the actual saving of CO2 emissions relies on the 'renewability' of the electricity used to drive the heat pump.

Subsurface rocks and groundwater in the UK are at a constant temperature of around 10-13 ۫C. Therefore, the subsurface proves to be a suitable source or sink for heat that is respectively absorbed from the ground in winter and disposed within the ground in summer. During the colder months, the system relies on the constant temperature source (groundwater or rock) to efficiently extract heat and transfer it to a building at a higher and more comfortable ambient temperature. The process may be reversed during the warmer summer months to achieve cooling of building spaces.

There are several technical advantages that make geothermal heat pumps the optimal choice for space heating, even when compared to other clean energy alternatives (i.e. biomass, wind turbine, etc). Geothermal heat pumps require little floor space and small mechanical rooms with no outdoor equipment.  The ground source heat exchanger and all the associated plant are normally buried beneath the building or the car park. The advantages obtained from the adoption of ground source energy solutions go beyond the achievement of good aesthetics. Reduction in noise and atmospheric emissions are key achievements in densely populated urban areas.