Recent experiences calculating g-functions for use in simulation of ground heat exchangers

Jeffrey Spitler, Jack Cook, Xiaobing Liu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Temperature response functions, known as g-functions, are a computationally efficient method for simulating ground heat exchangers (GHEs), used with ground-source heat pump (GSHP) systems, either as part of a whole-building energy simulation or as part of a dedicated ground heat exchanger design tool. In fact, at present, they are the only feasible way to simulate a ground-source heat pump system in a whole-building energy simulation. This paper summarizes recent developments in the field and recent experience using a new open-source g-function calculation tool known as pygfunction. This experience includes accuracy, computation time, memory requirements and sensitivity to boundary conditions. With larger ground heat exchangers, e.g. in excess of 100 boreholes, the computational time and memory requirements can create challenges.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGeothermal Resources Council Virtual Annual Meeting and Expo, GRC 2020
Subtitle of host publicationClean, Renewable and Always On
PublisherGeothermal Resources Council
Pages296-315
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9781713822097
StatePublished - 2020
EventGeothermal Resources Council Virtual Annual Meeting and Expo: Clean, Renewable and Always On, GRC 2020 - Virtual, Online
Duration: Oct 19 2020Oct 23 2020

Publication series

NameTransactions - Geothermal Resources Council
Volume44
ISSN (Print)0193-5933

Conference

ConferenceGeothermal Resources Council Virtual Annual Meeting and Expo: Clean, Renewable and Always On, GRC 2020
CityVirtual, Online
Period10/19/2010/23/20

Keywords

  • G-function
  • Ground source heat pump
  • Modeling
  • Vertical bore ground heat exchanger

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Recent experiences calculating g-functions for use in simulation of ground heat exchangers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this