Ground Source Heat Pump

A ground source heat pump (GSHP) system uses the earth and a thermal battery to heat and/or cool the building at considerably higher efficiency than conventional heating and cooling systems. Ground source heat pumps can be categorised as having closed or open loops, and those loops can be installed in several ways: horizontally, vertically or in a pond/lake. The type chosen depends on the available land areas and the soil and rock type at the installation site. Such a system also works in reverse in winter, taking the place of a boiler to absorb heat from the ground to heat the building.

Case study: Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers, Denmark

Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers was erected in 2009. The hotel is known as the first in Denmark to receive all of its energy through renewable and sustainable sources. Solar panels and a groundwater-based cooling and heating system helps the Crowne Plaza conserve precious resources.

One of the key energy saving initiatives is the installation of a groundwater based system. It's based on the idea of recycling energy, and provides both heating and cooling to all 366 hotel rooms, the conference room section, kitchen, restaurant, and the ancillary office building. This system is the first of its kind in Denmark, and it saves up to 90% of the energy used for climate regulation inside the hotel.