Opportunities for the application of groundwater heat pumps in Piedmont region

In this paper a multidisciplinary methodology for analyzing the opportunities for application of groundwater heat pumps is proposed. The approach starts from a model for calculation of a time profile of thermal requirements (heat and domestic hot water). This curve is then coupled with a off-design model of the heat pump and its control system in order to determine its operation along the period of analysis. This model allows one to calculate the heat pump energy performances (e.g. COP, primary energy consumption) as well as profiles of water discharge to the aquifer in terms of mass flow rate and temperature. Then the thermo-fluid dynamics of the aquifer is performed in order to determine the system impact on the environment as on possible other systems. The application to a case study in the Piedmont region, in Italy, is proposed.