The 2013.k version arrives with a new module: Geothermal energy harvesting systems, integrated in the Air Conditioning tab of CYPECAD MEP. This new module has been conceived to design geothermal energy harvesting systems.
Geothermal heat pump systems are geothermal systems with low enthalpy which use a heat pump and an energy harvesting system in the ground to utilise the temperature of the ground. The key aspect of the efficiency of this type of system lies in the utilisation of the energy that is accumulated in the ground in a constant and stable manner, in such a way that the electrical energy consumed by the system is less than that which is consumed by a conventional heat pump system.
Once users select a geothermal heat pump (Air Conditioning tab > Installation > Centralised air conditioning units) and define the energy requirements to be covered by the pump (results of which can be obtained using the Export to energy plusTM and Calculation of summer and winter thermal loads modules), the program can then design the geothermal heat exchanger that would be required for the installation to operate correctly.
The design of the geothermal exchanger is based on the proposed design procedure contained in the manual of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) “Ground-Source Heat Pumps: Design of Geothermal Systems for Commercial and Institutional Buildings”.
More information on this new CYPECAD MEP module is available here: Geothermal energy harvesting systems.
