GEOTeCH is testing a different drilling concepts based on dry auger methods that require less capital-intensive equipment, enhance safety and avoid the environmental risks, complexity and costs of dealing with water supplies and contaminated waste, in comparison to the currently used technologies for installation of vertical borehole heat exchangers.

GEOTeCH is also tackling a better integration between heat exchange elements during installation by developing innovative heat exchangers allowing a better performance compared to conventional devices. In addition, the GEOTeCH’s approach seeks the use as effective geothermal heat exchangers of the foundation structures that are otherwise required, exclusively, for structural and geotechnical purposes in tertiary buildings.

GeoTech is developing optimised hybrid solutions that will integrate the different geothermal systems in small and large buildings market. The optimisation of geothermal system operation will be achieved with the Energy Management System and the development of a dual source heat pump capable of making optimal use of ground and/or air environmental heat sources. The GEOTeCH’s geothermal heating and cooling standard will be more attractive to design professionals and construction companies.

The expected impacts of GEOTeCH are mainly related to lower the cost of ground source heat pumps (GSHP) systems by developing small scale plug-and-play installations, targeting an overall cost reduction of 25% using borehole heat exchangers and 33% using foundation heat exchangers.