Chapter 9: Thermal response testing through the Chalk aquifer in London, UK

The use of ground energy systems to provide renewable heat energy to buildings is increasing, with the UK government’s renewable heat incentive (DECC, 2011) set to accelerate installation of systems for new building developments. Ground energy systems work by seasonal storage of heat in the ground. In closed-loop systems plastic pipes are cast into the ground (the ground loop), often in deep boreholes, and fluid is circulated through the pipes in order to transfer heat to or from the ground. The pipes are connected to the building heating and cooling system via a heat pump. In winter, a small input of electrical energy to the heat pump increases the temperature of the fluid to a level suitable for the delivery of usable heat to the building. In summer the heat pump can be used to reduce the temperature of the fluid returning from the air-conditioning system before recirculation through the ground loops.