Summer cooling by earth-to-water heat exchangers: experimental results and optimisation by dynamic simulation

A test ground cooling system built in Milano, connecting earth-to-water heat exchangers to radiant panels in the building without making use of a heat pump, has been proposed and studied by the authors. In this paper the results of a monitoring campaign carried out using the experimental set up are reported and discussed. A dynamic simulation model, developed within the TRNSYS environment, is used to simulate the system and the building. Two performance indicators, one for comfort conditions and one for energy efficiency, are introduced. Through dynamic simulations the influence of the main parameters on the system performance is investigated, obtaining some operating and design guidelines.