Geothermal Test Site | ITACA Institute

The Geothermal Test Site of ITACA Institute undertakes the design, testing, and optimisation of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) systems, Borehole Heat Exchangers (BHEs), Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) systems, and Thermal Response Tests (TRTs).

Methods and Equipments (Selection)

• Development, thermal testing and validation of different types of Borehole Heat Exchangers (BHEs), including advanced and precise Thermal Response Tests (TRTs).
• Experimental characterisation of innovative pipe and grout materials, and advanced interpretation of BHE heat-transfer processes using analytical and semi-analytical models such as the Composite Two-Region Line Source Model (C2RLSM).
• Simulation platforms for integrated thermal and electrical energy networks
• Tools for strategic renewable energy planning, including biomass, geothermal, and solar resource mapping.

Capabilities

• Design, modelling, and optimisation of geothermal heat pump systems and innovative ground heat exchangers.
• Experimental validation of BHEs, GHEs and GSHP systems, including Thermal Response Tests and advanced TRT interpretation methods.
• 3D numerical modeling and simulation of BTES systems and geothermal heat exchanger fields.
• Development and evaluation of advanced materials for improved heat transfer in shallow geothermal applications.
• Modelling, simulation, and optimisation of thermal and electrical energy networks at building, district, urban, and regional scales.
• Strategic planning tools for the deployment of renewable thermal energy technologies, including geothermal, biomass and solar resources.