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Performance Prediction and Analysis of Solar-Assisted Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems in Typical Rural Areas, China

Author

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  • Ying Cao

    (School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
    China Architecture Design & Research Group, Beijing 100044, China
    Key Laboratory of Elderly Friendly Buildings and Environment, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Zhibin Zhang

    (School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China)

  • Guosheng Jia

    (School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
    Key Laboratory of Elderly Friendly Buildings and Environment, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Jianyu Zhai

    (China Architecture Design & Research Group, Beijing 100044, China
    Key Laboratory of Elderly Friendly Buildings and Environment, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Jianke Hao

    (School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China)

  • Meng Zhang

    (School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China)

  • Liwen Jin

    (School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China)

Abstract

The increasingly severe energy crisis and associated environmental issues pose new challenges for the efficient and rational utilization of renewable energy. The solar-assisted ground-source heat pump (SAGSHP) system is a novel heating system that effectively combines the advantages of both solar and geothermal energy. In this study, an SAGSHP system was established through TRNSYS simulation software to provide winter heating and year-round domestic hot water for a residential building. By varying the area of solar collectors ( A ) and the number ( n ) and the depth ( H ) of the borehole heat exchangers (BHEs), the system operational performance, including the system energy consumption, ground temperature attenuation, and heat pump efficiency, was investigated. A comparison with a single ground-source heat pump (GSHP) system was also conducted. After 20 years of operation, the parameter optimization resulted in a reduction of approximately 60 MWh and 70 MWh in system energy consumption, equivalent to saving 7.37 t and 8.60 t of standard coal, respectively. At the same time, the total costs over 20 years can be reduced by 48.20% and 33.77%, respectively. The proposed design method and simulation results can serve as the reference for designing and analyzing the performance of the SAGSHP system.

Suggested Citation

  • Ying Cao & Zhibin Zhang & Guosheng Jia & Jianyu Zhai & Jianke Hao & Meng Zhang & Liwen Jin, 2025. "Performance Prediction and Analysis of Solar-Assisted Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems in Typical Rural Areas, China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:9:p:2208-:d:1643214
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    References listed on IDEAS

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