Feasibility Study of Shallow Geothermal Heat Pumps to Meet the Thermal Demand of a Typical Household in Córdoba, Argentina

Tesis Energía y Ambiente (maestría) - Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires - Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Karlsruhe, 2023
"This master thesis is a feasibility study of the use of geothermal energy in typical houses from urban developments in the city of Córdoba, Argentina. Geothermal heat at constant temperature available at shallow depths is proposed as source of a heat pump coupled to a radiant-floor for air conditioning and a booster tank for domestic hot water supply. The study was carried out considering the characteristics of the local climate, the energy demand of a typical residential house, and technical and economic feasibilities in the region. First, the Argentine energy matrix, the demand for residential energy, the renewable technologies applied to supply that demand, and the current use of geothermal energy are described. Then, geothermal heat pumps for residential uses are dimensioned, energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions are compared with conventional technologies, and an economic evaluation is carried out. It is concluded that heat pumps operating between shallow geothermal reservoirs and radiant-floor and/or water tank systems arise as an efficient technology for air conditioning and water heating needs, through use of clean renewable energy".