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Sign upJanuary 1, 2021
EPFL
Lausanne
Since 2021, EPFL has been relying on the Energy Geostructures system to heat and cool the new "Discovery Learning Lab (DLL)" on its campus. The energy piles, as well as all walls and slabs in contact with the ground, have been fitted with heat exchanger tubes. They store heat and cold according to the season, thus supporting the thermal network. In all, 450 m2 of slabs and walls were equipped, along with 176 m of energy piles, for a total length of two kilometers.
The implementation of the solution resulted in significant environmental and resource-saving benefits on an annual basis. Specifically, it led to a reduction of 2,884 liters of fuel oil, contributing to decreased dependence on fossil fuels and improved energy efficiency. In addition, the solution successfully prevented the release of 89.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere each year. This achievement highlights the initiative’s role in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while promoting more sustainable energy consumption practices.
By coupling the role of the ground structures with that of the geothermal heat exchangers, Energy Geostructures act as structural supports as well as geothermal heat exchanger for buildings and infrastructures. They serve as heat source/sink for ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems to provide heating (space and domestic hot water) and cooling to the surrounding environments, and allow to use the ground as a thermal battery in the presence of an intermittent heat source such as solar thermal panels. With reference to gas boilers and air conditioning, heating and cooling provided through integrated energy geostructures reduces the environmental impact up to 60% in terms of the equivalent CO2 emissions, human health, resources depletion and ecosystem quality.
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