Utilization of Geothermal Heat Pumps in Residential Buildings for GHGs Emission Reduction

Abstract

This study aims to reduce energy consumption by application of geothermal heat pumps in residential buildings and reduction of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) emissions under Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project. In this approach, the required thermal load of a typical four-floor 12-units residential building located in Tehran city has been considered and calculated separately based on the actual operational data. According to the thermal properties of soil and the annual average temperature of the area, the appropriate geothermal heat pump system has been taken into consideration. Subsequently, three scenarios based on transaction of Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) as Primary, Secondary and Unilateral types of CDM projects were created considering the primary costs of purchase and installment of geothermal heat pump system and its electricity consumption. Technical, economical and environmental feasibility study of this project has been assessed through using Proform software in three different scenarios based on global carbon credit market. The results show that in the optimum scenario in case of replacing the boiler system with vertical geothermal heat pump system in the residential building, could conserve 67,000 GJ of natural gas during the project implementation period and 3,759 tons of COR 2 R equivalent emissions would be reduced. Results demonstrate also the favorable economic and environmental impacts that can be achieved by CDM.