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Shallow Geothermal Energy (SGE) extracted by Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) is a proven clean and profitable technology. Although it is available almost everywhere, its market enjoys different maturity levels along with the other EU Members and even those within the same country. In the Murcia region, in Southern Spain, the presence of GSHP is almost nonexistent. Germany, in contrast, has an extensive tradition of exploiting its SGE resources and is an example of a mature GSHP market. In this work, the technical and non-technical barriers were assessed in both countries to identify the site-specific parameters preventing a better deployment of SGE in Southern Spain. In addition, a SWOT analysis was conducted to highlight the parameters positively and negatively influencing the geothermal resource extraction. Results showed that both study cases showed similar and good technical conditions, such as sufficient resource 80 W/m approx. or a similar impact on the environment mainly due to the use of electricity consumed. However, the regulation and legal framework greatly varied from one area to another. In conclusion, the main factors causing a poor deployment are the lack of specific regulation or regional administration support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shallow Geothermal Energy (SGE) exploited by vertical close loop Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) is a proven, reliable, and widespread renewable heating and cooling technology. However, in many regions there is still a lack of awareness among policy makers and end users, constituting a major constraint to wider deployment of SGE. In order to contribute to its market consolidation, this work focuses on bringing to light relevant spatial information affecting the suitability of SGE exploitation. This information is the result of the systematization of geological, climatic, and environmental open and available data translated into performance indicators. A set of thematic maps was created using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) comprising the European Member States and other European countries. The relative area and the amount of population affected per indicator was spatially analyzed to determine the most common values found and the affected population. The relationship between area percentage and population affected percentage per indicator was also analyzed and allowed to identify the most common indicators values in areas where high energy demands are expected. Additionally, an example of how this data can be used into a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) framework is shown. • Spatial analysis of indicators affecting Ground Source Heat Pump performance. • Systematization of collected data in continental thematic maps. • Classification of indicators by area and population. • Identification of non-exploited areas with favorable conditions for the exploitation of shallow geothermal energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• GIS–based energy, economic and environmental approach to analyze H&C demand. • Borehole Heat Exchanger Ground Source Heat Pump systems by using the G.POT method. • Multidimensional solution applied to residential, commercial, and tertiary sector. • Two Spanish residential locations evaluated from a multidimensional perspective. • Underground energy capacity can provide energy enough to cover the space H&C demand. During the last decades, both population growth and increasingly concentration in cities turn these areas into major consumers of energy, mainly due to heating and cooling energy demanded by residential and commercial sectors. In parallel, the promotion of renewables and policies aimed to decrease fossil fuel dependence and save emissions have addressed mostly solutions based on renewable energy resources. Under this scenario, this paper evaluates the feasibility of vertical Ground Source Heat Pump systems based on the spatial study of the site–specific parameters affecting their performance at a local scale. A GIS–based energy, economic and environmental multidimensional approach is then proposed to analyze the heating and cooling energy demand by considering the urban pattern and the real space available for the installations. The paper explores and compares different Borehole Heat Exchanger Ground Source Heat Pump systems by using the G.POT method applied to residential customers. Two Spanish residential locations are included as case study. From the results, geothermal resource gives highly beneficial results also for cooling energy demand, which is not usually considered in geothermal analysis. The proposed renewable system can be also evaluated from this multidimensional perspective on both commercial and tertiary sector, as well as in other locations with a diversity of heating and cooling energy demand profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to boost the use of shallow geothermal energy, reliable and sound information concerning its potential must be provided to the public and energy decision-makers, among others. To this end, we developed a GIS-based methodology that allowed us to estimate the resource, energy, economic and environmental potential of shallow geothermal energy at a regional scale. Our method focuses on closed-loop borehole heat exchanger systems, which are by far the systems that are most utilized for heating and cooling purposes, and whose energy demands are similar throughout the year in the study area applied. The resource was assessed based on the thermal properties from the surface to a depth of 100 m, considering the water saturation grade of the materials. Additionally, climate and building characteristics data were also used as the main input. The G.POT method was used for assessing the annual shallow geothermal resource and for the specific heat extraction (sHe) rate estimation for both heating and, for the first time, for cooling. The method was applied to the Region of Murcia (Spain) and thematic maps were created with the outputting results. They offer insight toward the thermal energy that can be extracted for both heating and cooling in (MWh/year) and (W/m); the technical potential, making a distinction over the climate zones in the region; the cost of the possible ground source heat pump (GSHP) installation, associated payback period and the cost of producing the shallow geothermal energy; and, finally, the GHG emissions savings derived from its usage. The model also output the specific heat extraction rates, which are compared to those from the VDI 4640, which prove to be slightly higher than the previous one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]