Annex 29 of the IEA Heat Pump Programme (HPP), have been investigating ideas and, depending on climate and application, identify systems that could improve performance and market attractiveness of ground-source heat pump (GSHP) systems.Start data March 2004, end date December 2009.

Objectives - Målsetting
To demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of GSHP systems.

Project Manager and Participating Countries - Deltakerland
Austria (prof. dr.ing. Hermann Halozan) is the envisaged Operating Agent. The  participating countries are: Austria, Canada, Japan, Norway, Sweden and USA.

Activities - Planlagte aktiviteter

1)  Studying ideas for improved technical performance and reduced cost of GSHPs.

• Heating-only versus heating and cooling systems
• Open versus closed loop systems
• Horizontal versus different vertical systems
• Direct expansion and secondary loop systems
• Use of different secondary fluids, including CO₂
• Vertical probes of the heat pipe design filled with CO₂
• Direct and indirect cooling · Recharging and moisture migration in the ground
• Extraction of heat from large surface areas, e.g. parking lots, runways etc.

2)  Identification of market barriers and innovative approaches to increase system acceptance incl.

• Quality assurance measures
• Ground coil system guarantees
• Contracting models for reduced initial cost
• Regulations
• Tariff structures etc.