Procedure for Closed Loop Geothermal System
Stage 1: Preliminary study-Total Cost
1) Visit to the site of project- data collection
- Topographical
- Building Load Calculations (if exists)
- Geological formations of the application area
2) Preliminary study which includes:
- Data analysis project description.
- Assessment of the geology at study area includes Geological section.
- Initial system design and dimensioning of its individual elements.
- Simulation of the geothermal system to verify it’s completeness
- Detailed description of the system and its installation process.
- All stages of the project with detailed costs.
- Financial feasibility study of the project and its payback period.
Stage 2: Issue of Permit (in Greece)-Final Design - Project supervision
- Simulation of the geothermal system to verify it’s completeness
- Completion of the Geothermal System Study.
- Collections of supporting documents for the issuance of the permit of install geothermal system.
- Completing the file and submitting it for the issuance of the permit (1-2 months usually).
- Supply of equipment-materials for the construction of the project.
- Issuance of the permit and installation of the geothermal system under our supervision (includes issuance of a paravolo (GR) from a financial cost of 300 euro).
Stage 3: Procedure for the installation of the geothermal system (under our supervision)
Vertical placement of Geo-exchanger
- Drilling of boreholes-placement of geo-exchangers- grouting of boreholes.
- Geo-exchanger pressure test
- Thermal Response Test (required in large projects)
- Construction of piping networks to connect to the mechanical room.
- Flushing-Purging of the geothermal system.
- Start up the system
Horizontal placement of Geo-exchanger
- Construction of Geo-exchanger
- Excavation – Backfilling
- Geo-exchanger pressure test
- Construction of piping networks to connect to the mechanical room.
- Flushing-Purging of the geothermal system.
- Start up the system
Table 1
Cost of Geothermal System ‘’Closed Loop’’
Type
Minimum (€/Kw)
Average (€/Kw)
Maximum (€/Kw)
Ground Source Heat Pump
308
477
646
Horizontal Ground Loop
304
722
1140
Vertical Ground Loop
608
1824
3040
**Table 1 (Source : ‘’RETScreen Expert ‘’ Clean Energy Management Software version 8.1)
Total Cost= Kw*GSHP Cost + Kw*Cost (Horizontal or Vertical) Ground Loop
The cost of a closed loop geothermal system depends on:
- The building heating and cooling Loads (peak loads it will need to cover).
- The geology of the area (increases and reductions in drilling and grouting costs).
- The available area (horizontal or vertical).
- The quality of the materials.
