Shallow geothermal boreholes, 50 - 200 m, are used as heat source or sink for heat pumping systems. Deep geothermal wells, typically 1-10 km, can retrieve heat with higher temperature. Heat with high temperature can be utilised directly, e.g. for district heating, or as a heat as source for running a heat-to-power cycle.
The research activities focussed by SINTEF Energy Research are related to development and design of top-side equipment, such as heat pumps and heat-to-power systems, thermal modelling of complete systems and component design.
Our current client base ranges from the major national and international companies, to smaller SMEs and technology developers.
We are currently working in the following fields
Shallow geothermal
- Borehole thermal modelling and simulation of heat flow in wells and the surroundings
- Stationary and dynamic models 1D, 3D, utilisation for heat pumps, free-cooling and development of thermal imbalance over time
- Heat pump systems modelling, simulation and optimisation
- Systems, Working fluids, Component development, hp and thermal storage as part of complex energy systems
Deep geothermal
- Topside utilisation of heat
- Direct use of energy, heat-to-power
- Thermal and flow related modelling and simulations related to borehole
- Heat exchanger development for challenging fluids
- Design, simulation and optimisation of heat exchanger concepts for challenging fluids
- Top side equipment in general
Approach
When developing new components or systems, we generally combine theory with modelling and simulation studies, and experiments. New concepts commonly require experimental verification. Our work is grounded in good thermodynamic libraries and component and system models developed over many years. Many of the models are based on programmes developed at SINTEF-NTNU. This provides us with unique opportunities to adapt the models to carry out the evaluation and development of new concepts, both for components and complete systems.
We typically carry out the following types of project
- Multi-client projects co-funded by industry and the Research Council of Norway
- Projects funded directly by industry in the fields of development, testing and consultation
- Everything from basic skills development projects to applied research
