Use geothermal energy without digging? This is how it is possible

Taking advantage of the heat of the earth without digging is possible. Similarly, A Swiss startup has developed a exchanger system that can be installed in almost any underground building. Additionally, Similarly, A Parisian building has just been equipped with this technology. Meanwhile,

Geothermal energy is often considered a promising solution to produce heat on the scale of buildings. Nevertheless, it struggles to democratize, the fault of the expensive investments it requires. For example, Faced with this reality. Meanwhile, the startup Enerdrape, from the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne, sought use geothermal energy without digging? to develop a technical solution to take advantage of the energy of the earth, without requiring drilling.

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Thermal exchangers in the underground car parks – Use geothermal energy without digging?

The solution developed takes the form of an aluminum panel acting as thermal interchange. the manufacturing of which can be industrialized. These panels, modular and easy to install, are installed in underground structures such as parking lots. A liquid winds in these panels. and recovers the shallow geothermal energy, as well as the residual energy present in the air.

If several projects are under development in use geothermal energy without digging? Switzerland. a building in the 11th arrondissement of Paris has just been equipped with these panels. In total. 145 panels were installed in the underground car park, and preheat the primary circuit of a heat pump, thanks to glycolé water. In total, the circuit only requires 1 cubic meter of liquid for an exchange surface of 142 square meters.

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Democratizing geothermal energy in urban areas

In France, geothermal projects are multiplying in particular for the heating of large -scale sites. But in urban areas, their use is still anecdotal, especially because of the technical constraints generated. As a rule, use geothermal energy without digging? the installations envisaged can reach depths of several tens at more than thousands of meters. Thus. the boreholes made for the renovation of the heating and air conditioning system of the Élysée reach almost 2 km, to reach water temperatures that can reach 85 ° C.

Less effective. the system proposed by Enerdrape remains much less expensive, and reasonably makes it possible to limit the energy needs of a heating system, or even refreshment.