Performance analysis of short helical borehole heat exchangers via integrated modelling of a borefield and a heat pump: A case study

This paper presents a new simulation tool package that calculates the energy efficiency of an entire Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system. The package consists of two detailed models of borehole heat exchangers and heat pump equipment coupled in a single well-integrated calculation tool. It was used to analyze two types of ground heat exchangers in the same operating conditions for two Italian climates. Research focused on comparing a short helical-shaped pipe configuration with the more widespread and longer double U-tube. Analysis was carried out at the same energy exchange rate with the ground and addressed the difference in total borehole depth. The package also took into account the effects of the weather on the heat transfer between the heat exchanger and the surrounding ground. Analysis found that a much shorter total borehole depth was needed for the helical-shaped pipe, which consequently reduces installation costs. Therefore, this configuration may be a suitable alternative to conventional U-shaped tubes, especially for new residential housing with low energy loads and where deep probe drilling is not possible. Finally, this paper also investigates the influence of the axial effects in the ground on the seasonal energy efficiency of the whole system.