Optimierungspotenzial für thermisch aktivierte Gründungspfähle (Energiepfähle) - Ein Modellierungsansatz im Rahmen des EU-Forschungsprojektes "e-hub"

Potential for optimization of thermally activated foundation piles (energy piles) - A modelling approach from the EU-funded research project "e-hub"

The use of shallow geothermal energy enables a cost-effective and environmentally friendly provision of renewable thermal energy as an alternative to conventional heating and cooling supply. As a geothermal source system, so called "thermally activated construction parts" such as foundation piles or floor plates, are being used increasingly often. Those are designed mainly for structural purposes and hence offer significant optimization potential for the use as a geothermal heat exchanger.
Therefore computational modeling works have been carried out as part of the European research project "e-hub". Their major aim was to investigate options for a performance increase of thermally activated foundation piles, so-called "energy piles".
A particularly evident performance increase of up to 30 % could be demonstrated for the use of highly thermally conductive aggregates in pile concrete compared with regular concrete. Depending on the actual project scope and the constructive pile design, a significant improvement in energy efficiency and sustainable profitability of real world geothermal projects are expected at moderately increased production costs