Central European Geology
Volume/Issue:
Volume 58: Issue 1-2
Innovative energy-related use of shallow and deep groundwaters — Examples from China and Switzerland
Author:
Ladislaus Rybach Institute of Geophysics ETH, Zürich, Switzerland

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Pages:
100–113
Online Publication Date:
Mar 2015
Publication Date:
01 Mar 2015
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/24.58.2015.1-2.7
Keywords:
shallow aquifers; geothermal heat pumps; space heating and cooling; tunnels draining mountains; greenhouses and fish ponds
Open access

The heat content of shallow or deep aquifers can be used for space heating. Two innovative systems are described below in detail: a geothermal heat pump system based on a single well in China (= shallow), and a cascading use of tunnel waters (= deep) in Switzerland. The “Single Well System” (HYY SWS) was invented and developed by Beijing Ever Source Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd (HYY) to provide buildings with heating and cooling as well as with domestic hot water. The powerful system operates at about 500 kWth capacity. Unlike traditional groundwater heat pump systems, in which two wells are used (one for pumping groundwater out and the other to dispose of cooled water), the HYY SWS uses only one, specially designed well for production and reinjection. A borehole with a depth of about 70–80 m and a diameter of 0.5 m is drilled for HYY Single Well Systems. The necessary local geologic site condition is to have a shallow aquifer with a hydraulic conductivity of 10−3 m/sec or higher. Many such systems operate now in China, several of which, for instance, serve the 2008 Summer Olympic Facilities in Beijing. Switzerland has, in its mountainous parts, hundreds of deep tunnels. Tunnels drain the rock overburden and, depending on its thickness, water temperatures up to 50 °C can be encountered and utilized. The most straightforward and cheapest form of tunnel heat usage is to collect and transport inflowing waters via ducts to the portals, with as little temperature drop as possible. The thermal power depends on flow rate and temperature. At or near the portals the heat content of the waters can be used for various applications. When the temperature level of the tunnel water outflows is too low for direct applications (e.g. for district heating), heat pumps are employed. From Switzerland a whole suite of uses can be reported: space heating, greenhouses, balneology and wellness, fish farming. At the northern portal of the 35 km long Loetschberg base tunnel at Frutigen, the tunnel water is used subsequently (“cascading”) for space heating, greenhouse, and fish farming (incl. caviar production).

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  • Graf, F., L. Rybach, T. Kohl, T. Mégel, R. Sutterlütti, R. Fuchs 2002: Hydraulic-Geothermal Modelling of Koralm Base Tunnel. — Felsbau, 6, pp. 25–32.

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  • Rybach, L. 1995: Thermal waters in deep Alpine tunnels. — Geothermices, 24, pp. 631–637.

  • Rybach, L. 2005: The advance of geothermal heat pumps world-wide. — IEA Heat Pump Center Newsletter, 23/4, pp. 13–18.

  • Rybach, L. 2010: Geothermal use of warm tunnel waters — principles and examples from Switzerland. — Transactions Geothermal Resources Council, 34, pp. 949–952.

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  • Rybach, L., Xu, Sheng-heng 2008: How to advance geothermal heat pumps? The examples of Switzerland and the HYY Single Well System in China. — In: Proc. United Nations University Workshop for Decision Makers on direct heating use of geothermal resources in Asia, Tianjin, China, pp. 372–382.

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  • Rybach, L., J. Wilhelm, H. Gorhan 2003: Geothermal use of tunnel waters — a Swiss Specialty. — In: Proc. International Geothermal Conference, Reykjavík, pp. 17–23.

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  • VDI-Richtlinie 4640 2010: Thermische Nutzung des Untergrunds, Blatt 1: Grundlagen, Genehmigungen, Umweltaspekte. — Verein Deutscher Ingenieure, Düsseldorf, 4 p.

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  • Wilhelm, J., L. Rybach 2003: The geothermal potential of Swiss Alpine tunnels. — Geothermics, 32/4–6, pp. 557–568.

  • Xu, Sheng-heng, L. Rybach 2003: Utilization of shallow resources of direct use systems in Beijing. — Transactions Geothermal Resources Council, 27, pp. 115–118.

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  • Xu Sheng-heng , L. Rybach 2004: An innovative, renewable energy system for space heating and cooling — using ubiquitous shallow geothermal resources. — In: Proc. World Renewable Energy Congress, 6 p.

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  • Xu, Sheng-heng, L. Rybach 2006: Operational experience with a new, powerful groundwater heat pump system for space heating and cooling. — In: Proc. Renewable Energy Congress, pp. 1508–1511.

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  • Xu, Sheng-heng, L. Rybach 2010: Innovative groundwater heat pump system for space heating and cooling in USA and China. — In: Proc. World Geothermal Congress, 5 p.

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  • Xu, Sheng-heng, H. Ma, D. Lu 2006: Single Well System technology used in Mongolia. — Transactions Geothermal Resources Council, 30, pp. 110–113.

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  • Xu, Sheng-heng, R. Ling, Y. He, D. Lu 2008: HYY Ground Energy Heat Pump System Used in Waterscape of National Center for the Performing Arts — No-icing on the Waterscape Pool Water Surface in Winter. — Transactions Geothermal Resources Council, 32, pp. 325–331.

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Cover Central European Geology
Central European Geology
Print ISSN:
1788-2281
Online ISSN:
1789-3348

Senior editors

Editor(s)-in-Chief: Attila DEMÉNY

Deputy Editor(s)-in-Chief: Béla RAUCSIK

Co-ordinating Editor(s): Gábor SCHMIEDL

Editorial Board

  • Zsolt BENKÓ (Geochemistry, Ar dating; Institute for Nuclear Research, Debrecen)
  • Szabolcs HARANGI (Petrology, geochemistry, volcanology; Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest)
  • Anette GÖTZ (Sedimentology; Landesamt für Bergbau, Energie und Geologie, Hannover)
  • János HAAS (Regional Geology and Sedimentology; Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest)
  • István Gábor HATVANI (Geomathematics; Institute for Geological and Geochemical Research, Budapest)
  • Henry M. LIEBERMAN (Language Editor; Salt Lake City)
  • János KOVÁCS (Quaternary geology; University of Pécs)
  • Szilvia KÖVÉR (Sedimentology; Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest)
  • Tivadar M. TÓTH (Mineralogy; Petrology    University of Szeged)
  • Stephen J. MOJZSIS (Petrology, geochemistry and planetology; University of Colorado Boulder)
  • Norbert NÉMETH (Structural geology; University of Miskolc)
  • Attila ŐSI (Paleontology; Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest)
  • József PÁLFY (Fossils and Stratigraphic Records; Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest)
  • György POGÁCSÁS (Petroleum Geology; Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest)
  • Krisztina SEBE (Tectonics, sedimentology, geomorphology University of Pécs)
  • Ioan SEGHEDY (Petrology and geochemistry; Institute of Geodynamics, Bucharest)
  • Lóránd SILYE (Paleontology; Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca)
  • Ákos TÖRÖK (Applied and Environmental Earth Sciences; Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest)
  • Norbert ZAJZON (Petrology and geochemistry; University of Miskolc)
  • Ferenc MOLNÁR (ore geology, geochemistry, geochronology, archaeometry; Geological Survey of Finland, Espoo)

Advisory Board

Due to the changes in editorial functions, the Advisory Board has been terminated. The participation of former Advisory Board members is highly appreciated and gratefully thanked.

CENTRAL EUROPEAN GEOLOGY
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Hungarian Academy of Sciences
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Central European Geology
Language English
Size Vol 1-63: B5
Vol 64- : A4
Year of
Foundation		 2007 (1952)
Volumes
per Year		 1
Issues
per Year		 2
Founder Magyar Tudományos Akadémia  
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Address		 H-1051 Budapest, Hungary, Széchenyi István tér 9.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
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ISSN 1788-2281 (Print)
ISSN 1789-3348 (Online)

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