Optimization of the Ground-Source Heating and Cooling System for a Small Zero-Energy

Building in Norway
Saqib Javed, Chalmers University of Technology, saqib.javed@chalmers.se

This paper presents the case study of a newly constructed 1600-m2 Kindergarten building in Drøbak,
Norway. The building has been constructed within the framework of the LowEx project, which aims at
engineering solutions to achieve a seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of 8-10 in the heating mode,
a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 80-100 in the cooling mode, and an 80 % reduction in the
purchased electric power for heating and cooling of the buildings. Several architectural and technical
measures have been implemented in the case study building to meet these requirements.
This paper provides an account of the measures undertaken by the design team to meet the objectives of the
LowEx project in the new Kindergarten building. These measures include optimization of building heating
and cooling loads, heat pump supply temperature and borehole field, among others. This paper in particular
focuses on the optimization and sensitivity analysis of borehole system, and on fine-tuning borehole system
design to obtain better heating and cooling performance.
The results of this study include the sensitivity of the borehole design to variations in architectural features
including glazing area, window orientation, and shading. The effect of uncertainties in undisturbed ground
temperature, ground thermal conductivity, borehole thermal resistance, and borehole spacing on the
borehole supply water temperature is also evaluated and presented.