Portsmouth is one of the busiest ferry terminals in the UK and as such there were a number of operational and logistical reasons why installing a closed loop borehole based ground source heat pump system would have been problematic. EarthEnergy worked closely with lead consultants Halcrow to develop a scheme that required only a single heat pump and did not require any boreholes to provide simultaneous heating and cooling to the mechanically ventilated areas of the terminal building.
EarthEnergy designed a compact pumping / heat exchange station on the quayside so that the heat transfer could be carried out efficiently without any major disruption to the day to day site operations. A secondary benefit from the installation is that sea water can also be extracted for toilet flushing. Rather than pump sea water across the site, the primary heat exchange is carried out within the pumping station and then a secondary closed loop flow and return header containing a water and biodegradable glycol, runs from the pumping station to the new terminal building, where it is connected to a single Climaveneta water to water heat pump, which provides simultaneous heating and cooling capabilities.
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In order to prevent fouling of the sea water inlet pipes EarthEnergy have utilised a sonic antifouling system and it is believed that this is the first time this technology has been used in the UK with a sea water heat pump system.
The major benefits of this system is that by providing simultaneous heating and cooling and using the sea as an energy source, the seasonal efficiencies are expected to be well in excess of 500% which means in simple terms the EarthEnergy system will only use about 20 percent of the energy a traditional boiler / chiller system would use.
Dr Robin Curtis, Technical Director of EarthEnergy said: "By recognising the natural resources available at Portsmouth, we have been able to provide a system which is both sympathetic to the logistical requirements of the Port, whilst at the same time maximizing the environmental benefits associated with water source heat pumps. The system we have provided at Portsmouth can be replicated in almost any building with easy access to the sea."
Martin Putman, Port Manager said: "Our new terminal is a big investment for the Port. We want to makes sure that it has a positive impact not only on our passengers experience of the Port but also on the environment. This new system does that and helps us save money at the same time."
Earthenergy Limited is the longest established geothermal heating and cooling specialists in the UK and is no stranger to leading the way when it comes to innovative use of geothermal heat pumps having been at the forefront of the technology in the UK for over 17 years
For further information contact:
Earthenergy Limited
Falmouth Business Park
Bickland Water Road
Falmouth
TR11 4SZ
Tel: 01326 310650
Email: Enquiries@earthenergy.co.uk
Visit: www.earthenergy.co.uk
