Testing of a Novel Energy Wall System in Torino

The need of renewable energy sources is increasingly pushing the design of new and renovated buildings as a result of compelling regulation in the construction sector. On the one hand shallow geothermal energy is suitable as a sustainable and distributed energy source. On the other hand, significant installation cost related to drilling of traditional installations represent a ham- pering factor. Energy geostructures as piles, diaphragm wall, tunnels and anchors include these costs in the construction of primary or secondary struc- tural elements. Major part of building heritage in urban areas present under- ground levels that can be equipped with heat exchangers. This paper introduces the concept of a modular very shallow geothermal exchanger as part of a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The system is conceived to externally equip with heat exchangers the earth-contact area of underground walls that are generally widely available in residential and commercial buildings. An experimental site consisting of three modules of the above mentioned technology was designed by the authors and installed in an office building in Torino (Italy). Pipes were placed externally to the basement wall in two different arrangements. A large number of sensors were placed to monitor the additional stresses and strains on the wall and the thermal regime of the partly saturated ground volume involved in heat exchange. A comprehensive view of the main components of the prototype and the related monitoring system are given together with preliminary thermal performance results.