Field performance of a district central ground source heat pump system in the US

Abstract

This case study discusses the field performance of a district central ground source heat pump (GSHP) system installed at Ball State University (BSU) in Muncie, IN., USA. This district GSHP system replaces the existing central steam plant and water-cooled chiller plants and designed to serve 47 major buildings in BSU. The field performance of the GSHP system was analyzed based on measured data from August 2015 through July 2016, construction drawings, maintenance records, personal communications, and construction costs. It was compared with the performance of a baseline scenario- a conventional water-cooled chiller and natural-gas-fired boiler system, both of which meet the minimum energy efficiencies allowed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE 90.1-2013). The comparison was made to determine source energy savings, energy cost savings, and CO2 emission reductions achieved by the GSHP system. This paper presents the results of the analysis, the lessons learned, and recommendations for improvement in the operation of this district central GSHP system.