Shallow geothermal energy: Cheap-GSHPs project for the improvement of drilling/installation technologies and the design of Ground Source Heat Exchangers to enhance safety and reduce costs

Shallow geothermal energy is a stable, reliable renewable energy source available everywhere. The potential of shallow geothermal energy and the synergies with other renewable energy sources is very high and remains insufficiently tapped. The main key barriers are the high upfront capital, the low awareness of this technology, the diverse and changing regulations. The European project Cheap-GSHPs (Cheap and Efficient Application of reliable Ground Source Heat exchangers and Pumps, funded under H2020 GA no. 657982) addresses the capital cost reduction and increased awareness whilst improving safety as well: through innovations in Ground Source Heat Exchanger design combined with drilling machine developments, easy to use decision support systems and advances in heat pump design these actual barriers will be tackled. Cheap-GSHPs aims at reducing the installation costs of the GSHE's by 25-30%, increasing the deployment of this technology and contribute to the environment with an additional reduction rate of CO2 emissions. This will be combined with a holistic approach for optimum selection, design and implementation of complete systems across different underground and climate conditions. The technologies developed within the project will be amply demonstrated across six demonstration sites in Europe of which one is a highly insulated residential home with walls out of straw bales. The geothermal plant when combined with solar thermal and photovoltaic panels, will turn this house into a near zero energy building