Influence of control parameters on the system performance of ground coupled heat pump systems: a simulation study

Geothermal heat pump systems have a large potential for energy savings and associated greenhouse gas emissions. However, inappropriate control may counteract these saving potentials. This study evaluates the influence of different control parameters on the system performance of a ground coupled heat pump system in a residential building. To this end a dynamic simulation model is built in TRNSYS, coupled to Matlab in order to implement the controller. The simulation results show that using a room thermostat coupled with heating curves, night increase or smart control of the circulation pump for floor heating leads to large potential energy savings. Using a legionella program or a constant supply temperature for floor heating performs less energy efficiently than the reference model.