The geothermal heat pump, also referred to as the ground source heat pump, is a highly efficient renewable energy technology that is quickly gaining notoriety in both residential and commercial buildings. Geothermal heat pumps are often used for space heating and cooling in addition to water cooling. In a commercial construction, an energy supply source in the ground provides heat to a series of heat pumps. The heat pump concentrates this low-grade heat, raising its temperature and then transfers it to the building’s energy distribution system via a heat exchanger. This system is usually radiant in-floor and hydronic fan coils. This process is then reversed in the warmer months.
Trigeneration, or combined cooling, heat and power, involves using some of the heat produced by a cogeneration plant to generate chilled water for air conditioning or refrigeration. It is both an economical and environmental alternative to conventional refrigeration. It has low operating and lifecycle costs.
