Environmental research

Justification The current project offers new opportunities for more efficient use of geothermal energy. The usage of ground heat through heat pumps is a known and long-time used solution. The traditionally used systems have relatively low efficiency of extraction of heat from dry soils (where there is no groundwater). The current project is aimed at demonstrating a new technology for assembly of a heat pump with highly efficient evaporator type heat pipe with a working body of carbon dioxide and at proving its advantages. The heat taken from the ground is transferred without loss and without extra energy to the surface, where its transformation takes place into higher temperature level and greater quantity. This system is environmentally friendly and provides bilateral environmental effect: firstly by replacing traditional fuels with renewable energy, and secondly - as a consumer of carbon dioxide. The newly introduced system allows to reach high coefficient of performance (energy efficiency ratio) of 6.5, while with traditional systems this ratio is not higher than 4.8. In general, the installed heat pump system is not affected by weather changes because the temperature of 13 C is constant at a depth of 100 meters below the ground. This provides an inexhaustible source of heat - a phenomenon that becomes extremely important against the background of running out of Earth s energy resources. Also, the system is harmless and helps the preservation of the environment. This is possible because the usage of CO2 does not lead to any risk of environmental contamination and pollution of groundwater, as the system is closed. Moreover, the nature of the system implies a reduction of emissions of CO2, as its consumer. Furthermore, the project involves multiplication of the systems on a large scale. Currently in the territory of Bulgaria there are 2400 pump stations constructed, and it is expected that the construction of at least 2400 more pump systems with thermal power of 10 to 45 kW of the type developed in this project is possible. It is also possible to replace the existing pump stations with pump stations such as the one proposed in this project because of their superior energy performance. Location GPS coordinates: N42 1`48`E24 50`27`; Region: South of Bulgaria Province: Plovdiv; Municipality: Asenovgrad; Location: Dolni Voden Project Target Groups Target groups who will directly benefit from the project: - Companies that install systems for utilization of geothermal energy; - Owners of buildings where pump systems are applicable; Target groups who will benefit indirectly from the project - Potentially everybody as a result of the reduction of carbon dioxide originating from burning fuels. Goal and expected impacts The overall objective of the project is to demonstrate the possibilities for substitution of traditional fuels, used the heating and hot water for household needs with geothermal energy, with the use of high effective system based on heat pump with heat pipe with carbon dioxide. The expected impact is mainly to prove the viability of the new solution of usage of geothermal energy. The heat pipe with carbon dioxide is a new solution in the world for high effective extraction of geothermal energy from soils that lack groundwater. Accordingly, this leads to an extension of new technologies application in the areas energy-efficiency and renewable energy. Objectives and expected results Proving and demonstrating the capabilities of a new highly-effective technical solution that extracts renewable energy from the earth with vaporizers with carbon dioxide. Creating the conditions for replacement of 75% of the country`s conventional energy for heating and hot water for household needs with renewable energy from the earth. Creating opportunities and mechanisms for increasing the efficiency of extracting heat from the earth by 35% compared to traditional methods used in heat pump system. Major activities Drilling in order to examine the composition of the soil layers in depth through analysis of the drill core for specifying the composition and diathermic ability of the layers. Energy analysis of the building in order to determine its energy characteristics and structuring of systems for heating and hot water for household needs. Sizing the heat pump system. Manufacturing of machinery, drilling and commissioning Monitoring the parameters of the heat pump system and evaluation of its energy characteristics in different operating modes. Establishing an energy passport and a regime map of the system. Issuing of a booklet with the results of the project. Presentation of the results at a one-day seminar, WEB pages of the Bulgarian Geothermal Association and of the Technical University Sofia. Partnership with GEF SGP proposals/projects This project will carry out cooperation with the project "Establishment of a demonstration center for energy management /with adjacent DEMO objects/ in Gabrovo region for raising public awareness and promoting the use of RES in households , which is running very successfully in the territory of Gabrovo and demonstrates commitment to issues of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Cooperation will be expressed not only by sharing information, best practices, experiences, but also in direct partnership with respect to implementation of systems using geothermal energy, and subsequent monitoring of their work. Also, the information center in Gabrovo will help disseminate infor

Bulgaria