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supported by | | NewsSkanska installs Europe's largest geothermal lake loop Aug. 12, 2008 - Skanska is close to completing Europe's largest geothermal lake loop to service a new hospital in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The company, in conjunction with Geothermal International, is installing a ground source cooling and heating system that will offer Mansfield Hospital 5.4MW of cooling and 5MW of heating. Canada's Budget 2008 proposes to include ground-source systems Aug. 12, 2008 - The Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC) welcomed yesterday's announcement that the Federal Government intends to broaden Class 43.2. Budget Plan 2008 includes GSHP systems used in applications other than industrial processes or greenhouses, for the first time. German promotion meeting announced Jul. 30, 2008 - EGEC in collaboration with the German Geothermal Association - Geothermische Vereinigung , is organizing the Ground Reach national meeting in Karlsruhe within the Geothermiekongress 2008. It aims at promoting geothermal heating and cooling in Germany, at disseminating the project results, as well as presenting the European market development. The meeting is scheduled to take place on 13 November 2008. Venue: Messe Karlsruhe - Messeallee 1, 76287 Rheinstetten Innovativ solar-assisted GSHP system Jul. 29, 2008 - The German manufacturer Roth Werke GmbH offers a newly developed solar-assisted GSHP system called "Solargeo-Energiesystem". According to Roth this system provides an efficiency increase of up to 25 percent compared to commonly used GSHP installations. GEOTRAINET: New IEE project under negotiation Jul. 24, 2008 - The IEE project proposal entitled GEOTRAINET (Geo-Education for a sustainable geothermal heating and cooling market) was submitted under the 2007 call for proposals and is currently under negotiation. GeoDrilling 2008 with Geothermal Live! Jul. 21, 2008 - The extension of the Geothermal exhibition and conference in Peterborough, UK (April 30th - May 1st 2008) to cover ground source heat pumps was a great success. For the first time heat pumps have found a suitable forum for raising awareness of the potential benefits of such heating and cooling systems. Also on display were a very wide range of equipment for geothermal drilling including dedicated rigs for drilling and lining boreholes up to 100 metres in depth. New Chair of Canadian GeoExchange Coalition Jul. 16, 2008 - Mr. Stacey Bernier, General Manager with Corix Utilities in Vancouver (BC), was elected Chair of the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC) last week. The CGC board of directors comprises 15 members with representatives from all regions of Canada and from all classes of stakeholders involved in the geoexchange industry. The board members are elected for a one year mandate. Jul. 15, 2008 - Geothermal systems operate for 1/2 to 1/4 the cost of most other heating and cooling systems! In January 2006 the U.S. Federal government changed the minimum efficiency for air conditioners to 13 SEER from the previous minimum requirement of 10 SEER. Geothermal systems are up to twice the minimum required efficiency! CGC Prizes for Excellence and Leadership 2008 Jul. 11, 2008 - As the national voice of the geoexchange industry, the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC) recognizes excellence and leadership in the field by awarding the annual Canadian GeoExchange Prizes for Excellence and Leadership. The Prize for National Leadership is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated ongoing leadership in the geoexchange industry; and the Prize for Excellence is awarded to five regional installation projects that showcase both complexity and quality of design. New test laboratory for heat pumps Jul. 07, 2008 - As of February 2008 the test laboratory for heat pumps at ILK Dresden, Germany is accredited according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. That will help to reduce long waiting periods for heat pump testing as recently complained by heat pump manufacturers. Successful promotional seminar in Tallinn Jul. 02, 2008 - On 13 June 2008 a promotional GROUND-REACH seminar entitled "Energy conservation and heat pumps" was organised by EnPro Engineers Bureau Ltd. in Tallinn, Estonia. Altogether 21 participants, representing Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication, Tallinn Technical University, Estonian Heat Pump Association, heat pump suppliers, Estonian Union of Thermal Engineers, industrial enterprises, Apartment Owners Association, district heating companies and consultants attended the seminar. June issue of project newsletter Jul. 01, 2008 - The GROUND-REACH project newsletter n°8, June 2008 was published. Touring exhibition - Heat from the earth Jun. 30, 2008 - The German state Bavaria takes several measures aimed at reaching the goal to reduce CO2 emissions from recently about 6.8 tons per resident to 5 tons in the year 2020. One of these measures is a comprehensive information campaign about the advantages of using shallow geothermal energy with ground source heat pumps. Successful final Ground-Reach Workshop Jun. 27, 2008 - Around hundred international experts attended the final Ground-Reach Workshop on 23 May 2008 in Zurich, Switzerland, which took place in conjunction with the 9th IEA Heat Pump Conference. Renewable Energy Stocks Audio Interview Jun. 18, 2008 - Jason McDiarmid, President and CEO of Geoexchange Technology Company, discusses global market opportunities in North America, Europe and Asia. Ground Source Heat Pumps in China May. 29, 2008 - A presentation from the China Academy of Building Research gives an overview on the application of ground source heat pumps in China. Second GSHP forum in China announced May. 14, 2008 - The Chinese Committee of Ground Energy Resources Comprehensive Utilization of CARCU and Chang'an University will be jointly holding the second forum on Ground Energy Resources Development and Heat Pump Techniques Application on November the 18th to 19th, 2008 in Chang'an University of Xian city, China. Final programme for Ground-Reach workshop available May. 13, 2008 - The final Ground-Reach Workshop will take place on 23 May 2008 in Zurich, Switzerland, in conjunction with the 9th IEA Heat Pump Conference. Italian promotion meeting announced Apr. 30, 2008 - GfE, as Italian partner involved in the Ground-Reach project, is organizing a national meeting in Florence to promote this technology in the central-south part of Italy, to promote the project and the results, as well as the economical/environmental benefits and all the other related technical aspects about this excellent system. New IKEA Warehouse supplied with climatization from heat pumps Apr. 29, 2008 - In a recently opened IKEA warehouse in Karlstad (Sweden) 85% of the heating demand and 75% of the cooling demand is supplied by heat pumps. GROUNDHIT final workshop takes place in Berlin Apr. 11, 2008 - On 5 May 2008 the GROUNDHIT final workshop takes place in Berlin. The GROUNDHIT project started in 2004 aimed at developing and demonstrating the next generation of ground source heat pumps. During the last four years, a coaxial borehole heat exchanger prototype and three heat pump prototypes were developed and tested at three demonstration sites. Mar. 31, 2008 - On 9 February 2008 Abu Dhabi broke ground on Masdar City, the world's first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city for 50.000 inhabitants. Masdar City shall become the world's hub for future energy. By taking sustainable development and living to a new level, it shall lead the world in understanding how all future cities should be built. Agriculture and commercial applications at RENEXPO Mar. 19, 2008 - The 2nd Geothermal Conference in conjunction with RENEXPO takes place in Budapest, Hungary at the HUNGEXPO BUDAPEST FAIR CENTER on 25 April 2008, supported by the European Commission within the framework of the project RESTMAC. At this geothermal energy conference markets, potentials, latest technologies including ground source heat pumps, applications and practical case studies are shown, highlighting especially the use of geothermal energy in the agriculture industry and the broader commercial industry. Most successful promotion meeting in Athens Feb. 07, 2008 - Within the framework of the GROUND-REACH project and the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign the Centre of Renewable Energy Sources (CRES) had organised the most successful meeting "Heating and Cooling with Geothermal Heat Pumps" in Athens on 24 January 2008. Deepest CO2 borehole heat exchanger in the world under testing Feb. 04, 2008 - On 22 January 2008 the German electric utility EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG started officially operation of a 250 meters deep CO2 borehole heat exchanger in Triberg, Germany. This is the worldwide deepest CO2 borehole heat exchanger of this kind (heat pipe). Hoshinoya Karuizawa, Japanese Style Onsen Hotel - The Largest Geothermal Heat Pump System in Japan Jan. 21, 2008 - The Hoshino Onsen Hotel, which boasts a 100-year history, was fully refurbished prior to its reopening in 2005. The town of Karuizawa lies amidst highlands at an altitude of about 1,000 meters near the foot of Mt. Asama - an active volcano. Surrounded by a rich natural environment, it is one of the best-known resort areas in Japan. Use of solar heat in systems with ground-source heat pumps Jan. 18, 2008 - Solar collectors may be used in combination with ground-source heat pumps in order to minimize the use of electricity, and/or also if there is a need to increase the temperature in the brine or recharge the ground. The latter might be the case if the borehole has become too short e.g. due to system changes or if it affected by other boreholes in the vicinity. TRNSYS simulations have been conducted in order to analyse the advantages in different systems for dwellings. Simultaneous performance factors for combined multifunctional ground-source heat pumps Jan. 16, 2008 - A combined, multifunctional ground-source heat pump for simultaneous space heating (with direct condensing radiant floor or air coil) and cooling (with air coil), and domestic hot water heating (with desuperheater) has been developed at Hydro-Québec Research Institute's LTE Laboratory. Next promotion meeting to take place in Athens Jan. 15, 2008 - The next GSHP promotion meeting is scheduled to take place in Athens, 24 January 2008. ASHRAE headquarters under renovation Nov. 20, 2007 - The renovation of ASHRAE headquarters is expected to be completed in June 2008 at an estimated cost of $5.4 million. Once completed, the renovated building in Atlanta will feature two separate HVAC systems as part of its role as living lab. Ground source heat pump system for ALDI store Oct. 29, 2007 - The discounter ALDI has started a German wide pilot project in Grevenbroich (Nordrhein-Westfalen). The new chain store will not only be heated but also cooled in summertime by a ground source heat pump system and not as usual by gas boiler and air-conditioner . Ten ground source heat pumps tested in Germany Sep. 05, 2007 - The German test institute "Stiftung Warentest" has published test results for ten brine-to-water heat pumps with integrated hot water preparation and storage in its journal, issue 06/2007. Three more successful promotion meetings Aug. 08, 2007 - Three more GROUND-REACH promotion meetings took place in Poland (Warsaw, 10 May 2007), Portugal (Setubal, 21 May 2007) and Austria (Gleisdorf, 29 June 2007). First Ground-Reach press release Jul. 12, 2007 - Geothermal energy is becoming all around Europe one of the most interesting sources of renewable energy for the future in the sense of heating and cooling by ground coupled heat pumps. Energy policy and climate protection topped the agenda at the Spring Council in Brussels this March where EU heads of state and government committed to a binding target for 20% renewables by 2020. First GROUND-REACH workshop with the Commission May. 11, 2007 - This workshop with representatives of the European Commission was organised on 27 April 2007, at the Renewable Energy House in Brussels. During the event GROUND-REACH project partners presented to DG-TREN and EACI officers project work progress and future challenges, the technology and market of ground source heat pumps, discussed policy issues effectively aiding market penetration, and the contribution of GCHPs to the Buildings Performance Directive. Successful GROUND-REACH meeting in Sofia May. 07, 2007 - On 23 April 2007 the GROUND-REACH promotion meeting of Bulgaria was organised successfully in Sofia. Approximately 35 participants were present including decision makers from the Ministry of Economy and Energy, consultants, local suppliers and manufacturers, representatives of higher and technical education, journalists and others. First GROUND-REACH promotion workshop in Italy Apr. 25, 2007 - The first Italian promotional meeting within the Ground-Reach project took place in Northern Italy. The workshop had been organised in Milan on 16 April 2007 in the congress area of Regione Lombardia, in collaboration with the regional Departments of Energy and Sustanaible Development. Ground broken for Germany's biggest GSHP project Mar. 21, 2007 - On 7 March 2007 work began on a large housing estate nearby Cologne to be heated by ground source heat pumps (GSHP). The estate is to comprise 383 single-family homes and apartments for a further 1,000 people when completed. GROUND-REACH meeting on promoting GSHPs in France Feb. 26, 2007 - The Workshop, which was organized by BRGM and ADEME in Orleans, on February 8, was successful with more than 100 participants, representing companies which manufacture heat pumps and companies which install ground source heat pump systems, drilling companies, decision makers in the field of the construction of buildings, representatives of local authorities (regional council, education -university and technical secondary schools-), engineering companies, EDF, journalists from local and national press, and many others. Heating costs - Heat pump beats oil and gas Feb. 19, 2007 - Germany - The online magazine "FOCUS online" has published a comparison of annual heating costs for five heating systems. The results clearly demonstrate the advantage of ground source heat pumps versus oil, gas, wood pellets, and thermal solar. Fort Polk installation demonstrates retrofit potential of geothermal heat pumps Jan. 18, 2007 - USA - A recent independent study prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy by Oak Ridge National Laboratory demonstrates that geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) provide substantial benefits to the end user, the electric utility industry and the environment. A comprehensive 4,003-home retrofit project was conducted at Fort Polk, Louisiana where the existing heating and cooling systems (560 gas furnace/electric air-conditioner systems and 3443 air-source heat pump systems) were replaced by GHPs with desuperheater water heaters. Good experiences with GSHP in UK Dec. 11, 2006 - EU Energy Commissioner Piebalgs met with the occupants of social houses in Cornwall UK, accompanied by Graham Watson, Member of the European Parliament, and William Gillett, Head of Unit for renewable energies at the IEEA. The houses are heated by newly installed geothermal heat pumps. Saxony started new geothermal incentive programme Nov. 23, 2006 - In March 2006 the German Bundesland Saxony had started a new incentive programme for shallow geothermal projects. Twelve projects of over 100 proposals have been selected for funding. The total programme budget is 500.000 Euro. Nov. 20, 2006 - A historic church has started putting its green plans into practice, leading the renewable energy revolution in Hertfordshire. St Mary's Church in Welwyn village has become the first church more than 100 years old to install a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP), slashing its carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 100 % from 44 tones a year to less than two tonnes a year. GSHP subject of the project iCON-RES Nov. 10, 2006 - The Interreg III project "Information Connection Renewable Energy Sources" (iCON-RES) is a bilateral activity aimed at transfer of know-how and information on renewable energy sources across national boundaries. Contracting body is the city of Vienna, coordinator Arsenal research, Vienna. EGEC News now available on this website Oct. 19, 2006 - The latest issue of the periodic newsletter of the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) is now available. Heat pumps to be tested in practice Aug. 09, 2006 - Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE (Germany) is going to start a four years field test for heat pumps. ISE is planning to measure 140 heat pumps installed in one-family houses. Growing interest for ground source heat pumps in the UK Jul. 21, 2006 - United Kingdom - Almost 200 delegates attended the inaugural meeting of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association, organised by the National Energy Foundation (NEF) in Milton Keynes on 20th June. Ground source heat pumps replaces district heating in Stockholm Jul. 21, 2006 - Sweden - Over the last few years, the price of district heating in Stockholm has risen considerably. International heat pump experts visit to Upper Austria - a review Jun. 13, 2006 - During May national experts attended the IEA HPP Annex 29 workshop held in Linz, Upper Austria. Within the scope of this Annex, the workshop focused on the question "how to overcome market and technical barriers in the field of ground source heat pumps." Presentations of 1st GROUNDHIT workshop online May. 22, 2006 - GtV and EGEC on May 18, 2006 jointly hosted in Brussels the first dissemination workshop of the GROUNDHIT project . GROUNDHIT, supported by DG TREN of the European Commission, has the goal to develop ground source heat pumps of high efficiency and easy installation of the borehole heat exchangers. UK Ground-Reach promotion meeting May. 08, 2006 - The first Ground-Reach promotion meeting shall take place in the UK at the premises of Building Research Establishment Ltd. (BRE) on 21 June 2006. Norwegian internet home page for IEA Heat Pump Annex 29 May. 03, 2006 - As a part of the Norwegian work on IEA HP Annex 29, "Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems Overcoming Market and Technical Barriers" (2004-2006), SINTEF Energy Research has developed an Internet web site. Apr. 18, 2006 - A two page project summary has been published at the website of the European Commission, DG TREN. | |
