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Description
Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) is a particularly good way of providing thermal comfort in northern countries (e.g. Norway and Sweden) as well as in central and eastern Europe (e.g.
Poland and Ukraine). The project involves development of innovative structures of Borehole Heat Exchangers (BHEs). Structures tested as a part of the project will aim to maximize the energy
effect (which is defined as a unitary power obtained in BHE, in Watt per meter).
Innovative constructions include the pipe system in the borehole. New composite coaxial pipes system will be developed. Coaxial constructions will be analyzed and compared to the traditional, Utube based ones. The coaxial construction give possibilities use it in a boreholes with greater depth than U-pipe design.
Research methodology is based on mathematical modelling of a individual BHEs as well as fields consisting of multiple BHEs, taking into account their interference. Modelling will be verified by in
situ tests on created BHEs. It is expected to conduct Thermal Response Tests (TRT) on every borehole. Next innowation is TRT results interpretation. TRT results will be interpreted using three methods. Additionally, thermal conductivity test will be conducted on minimum three Borehole Heat Exchangers. It is new test of BHEs.
Very important innovation for BHEs fields making in the future is optimization of drilling technology parameters. New methodology will be developed for in situ application - on the begginning of
BHEs drilling with large number of boreholes.
Promotion of research results via conferences, scientific journals, monograph and the Internet is expected.
PhD thesises will be prepared, also many MSc thesises. Mentoring will be executed.
Summary of project results
Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) is a particularly good way of providing thermal comfort in northern countries (e.g. Norway and Sweden) as well as in central and eastern Europe (e.g. Poland and Ukraine). The project involves development of innovative structures of Borehole Heat Exchangers (BHEs). Structures tested as a part of the project will aim to maximize the energy effect (which is defined as a unitary power obtained in BHE, in Watt per meter). Innovative constructions include the pipe system in the borehole. New composite coaxial pipes system will be developed. Coaxial constructions will be analyzed and compared to the traditional, U-tube based ones. The coaxial construction give possibilities use it in a boreholes with greater depth than U-pipe design. Research methodology is based on mathematical modelling of a individual BHEs as well as fields consisting of multiple BHEs, taking into account their interference. Modelling will be verified by in situ tests on created BHEs. It is expected to conduct Thermal Response Tests (TRT) on every borehole. Next innowation is TRT results interpretation. TRT results will be interpreted using three methods. Additionally, thermal conductivity test will be conducted on minimum three Borehole Heat Exchangers. It is new test of BHEs. Very important innovation for BHEs fields making in the future is optimization of drilling technology parameters. New methodology will be developed for in situ application - on the begginning of BHEs drilling with large number of boreholes. Promotion of research results via conferences, scientific journals, monograph and the Internet is expected. PhD thesises will be prepared, also many MSc thesises. Mentoring will be executed.
he project managed to achieve its goals and all milestones. The most important achievements are listed below.
1. Development of a statistical method for selecting the optimal parameters for drilling holes for installing heat exchanger pipes. The first 9 holes in the BHEs field with a large number of them will enable the determination of drilling technology parameters for the remaining holes (doctoral thesis being completed).
2. Modernization of the mathematical model of heat and mass transfer (BoHEx from 2011) in borehole heat exchangers and the surrounding rock mass. It is possible to predict the operation of BHEs in a large range of laminar and turbulent flows over long periods (tens of years), with variable heating loads.
3. Various BHEs structures were made and tested, including new ones made of composite pipes reinforced with glass fibers, which are suitable for boreholes with greater depths (over 300 m). In Finland, such a structure was made in a hole 850 m deep.
4. A number of tests were carried out in the field of thermal conductivity and mechanical strength for innovative recipes of sealing slurries for BHEs.
5. Many engineering projects and master''s theses have been completed, and 4 doctoral theses are in progress. A lot of work and time was put into mentoring young scientists.
6. A model for the economic evaluation of systems with BHEs and GSHPs (ground-source heat pumps) compared to other heating methods was developed.
7. Performing data-driven analyzes for improved heating and cooling forecasts. The influences of input parameters on multidimensional deep learning algorithms using field data from BHEs were analyzed.
8. 23 BHEs were drilled, each with a different design, and one geothermal radial drilling (GRD) hole containing a further 10 holes drilled from one well. Response tests were performed on BHEs. Rankings of borehole structures in terms of their quality (comparison of thermal resistance Rb) and various operating variants (heat carrier volume flow) are presented in publications (some still in progress).
9. Numerous live and online meetings are already leading to further cooperation. A new research project has been submitted, which involves the participation of people from UiS and MuoviTech.
10. New scientific and technical aspects have been introduced into the program of full-time and postgraduate studies at AGH UoK. Annual seminars will be continued due to the fact that they are very popular (over 100 participants).
It should be emphasized with all confidence that the project was very important and significant results were achieved. At a time when reconstruction and/or construction of intelligent 5GDHC heating and cooling networks are increasingly being considered, geothermal energy is becoming a key field. Geoenergetics with borehole heat exchangers can also be successfully used in new emission-free smart grid heating networks, not only as a source of low-temperature heat, but above all as a heat and cold storeages in rockmass.
A method was developed for selecting the optimal parameters of drilling technology for BHEs, because drilling works are the most important component of investment costs.
A method was developed for selecting the optimal parameters of drilling technology for BHEs, because drilling works are the most important component of investment costs. New designs of BHEs were developed and tested for brightness (thermal resistance). Thanks to this, BHEs can be deeper and operated more advantageously (volume flow).
In systems with GSHP, holes are the basis for the operational success of such installations. The cost of holes and their depth are the basis for the development of these systems in cities where there is not much space for drilling. Thanks to new pipes with increased durability, further development of 5th generation heating systems is possible. The main additional outcome of the project was the understanding of the importance of GRD holes that can be drilled from inside buildings. In dense buildings, in historic buildings, such BHEs may be of key importance. The new design application concerns diagonal and directional drilling in confined space conditions.
Thanks to the project, it will be possible to drill at lower costs and deeper, thanks to the development of pipes with increased strength, unattainable for polyethylene pipes. MuowiTech will introduce a new product to the European market.
Summary of bilateral results
Collaboration with research teams from different countries brings new perspectives and approaches, often leading to innovative solutions and broadening the scope of research. Regular international consultations support a better understanding of research problems and a more comprehensive approach to their solutions. Projects carried out through bilateral cooperation gain credibility and influence on the international stage, potentially impacting long-term policies, practices, and the scientific community. Establishing lasting international networks stimulates the flow of knowledge and technology, promoting further innovative research projects.These aspects were implemented through meetings between partners. Within Polish-Norwegian collaboration, economic analyses were conducted on the implementation of BHEs installations in both countries, comparing not only costs but also various conditions (legal, geographical, geological). A new grant application was submitted under the FENG project. In this project, the Norwegian side is designated as the executor. An important element of the collaboration will also be the exchange of research personnel and scientists'' mobility, promoting not only knowledge transfer but also the establishment of long-term international relationships crucial for research projects.Additionally, partnering with Norwegian institutions can expand research scope by integrating diverse scientific and cultural perspectives, leading to more diverse and interdisciplinary approaches to solving research problems. Norwegian collaboration can also support research projects through participation in international conferences and publications in renowned scientific journals, enhancing the project''s visibility globally and influencing the development of industry standards and best practices.