Novel, high-efficiency groundsource heat pump with potable water production, for rural applications

Heating and cooling constitute approximately 48% of building energy consumption representing a significant dollar cost to society. Additionally the vast majority of this energy 63% in 2017 is generated by fossil fuels resulting in substantial environmental impacts. These non-point source emissions are challenging to address. Achieving meaningful and cost-effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions is a critical need of both the public and private sectors. Groundsource heat pump (GSHP) systems are the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly heating and cooling solution available. The primary hurdle to customers adopting traditional GSHP which have long been recognized for their lifecycle cost advantage over conventional heating and cooling methods is their initial installation cost. Our novel approach uses an entirely new method to deliver the required energy exchange from a GSHP loop field resulting in a 10x reduction in the number of boreholes needed per installation and up to a 40- 50% cost reduction for the entire heating and cooling system. The purpose of the proposed project to expand upon the innovative design of the Darcy GSHP well field to include production of potable water providing a unique benefit to rural communities and a further reduction in GSHP installation costs. The project will numerically model design install and field test the first dual-use Darcy GSHP and potable water system. We will test system performance and operations to determine this new technology's efficacy and cost effectiveness with a successful outcome laying the foundations for commercial adoption of this renewable energy system for rural communities.