Scenarios for replacement of electric resistive space heating by a geothermal heat pump - Environmental amortization

Geothermal energy has become of increasing scientific and industrial interest; hence, many works discuss and study its principles, uses, and technical/economic viability. However, much less research focuses on the environmental impact of geothermal energy projects. In this research, we perform a life cycle assessment of five different geothermal heat pump systems (GHPS) installed across five different facilities: three single-family detached houses (heating capacity of GHPS: 10 kW, 15 kW, and 45 kWh, respectively), a multipurpose building (heating capacity of GHPS: 110 kW), and a residential area of semi-detached houses (heating capacity of GHPS: 210 kW). The overall results demonstrate that the higher the heating capacity of a GHPS, the greater the environmental impact. Such results allow us to establish correlations between GHPS heating capacity and environmental impact across the 11 environmental impact categories. Amortization periods were calculated with respect to the annual demand for heating and cooling of each facility. In the 10 kW and 15 kW GHPS, the amortization period is shorter than 11 years, followed by an eightyear period for the 45 kW GHPS. Similarly, the amortization period for the 210 kW GHPS decreases up to five years. Conversely, the 110 kW GHPS has an 18-year amortization period.