Thermal performance of solar-assisted thermo-active foundation with a double u-loop heat exchanger in a cold climate

Abstract

Ground source heat pumps are a renewable energy option to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from building's space heating and cooling. Placing the heat exchanger within the structures of new homes creates a cost-effective “thermo-active foundation.” This research aims to explore the potential of “thermo-active foundations” with a double u-loop ground heat exchanger enhanced with a solar thermal collector and latent thermal energy storage. This study determines the appropriately sized solar collector needed at three locations to maintain the ground’s thermal balance, then the system was enhanced using phase change material as a thermal energy storage component. Results show the sized collectors without the thermal energy storage system, the overall coefficient of performance was 3.86, 3.79, and 3.98 for International Falls, Duluth, and Winona respectively. The enhanced results show that when incorporating phase change material, the coefficient of performance is 3.75, 3.82, and 3.86 for International Falls, Duluth, and Winona, respectively.