Shallow ground energy systems

Abstract

In a move to reduce the effects of climate change and energy dependency, planners, regulators and local authorities have encouraged or requested a number of technologies for saving carbon to be integrated into new buildings. Ground-source energy is among these technologies and one that has been applied to many parts of the construction industry including buildings, green houses, roads and bridges. Of particular interest is the integration of ground energy systems into the structural piles of the building. Energy piles have been installed in many buildings in the last 10–15 years in the USA, Europe and Britain. What does it mean to structural engineers? Will these energy piles require a redesign of the building? Will they lead to the loss of load-carrying capacity of the piled foundations? This article will look at the progress of the ground-source heat pump industry to date and will consider an opinion on the future. It will define some of the challenges facing structural, civil and services engineers and the opportunities for developing a new range of solutions to the construction industry.