GEOTRAINET GEOTRAINET GEOTRAINET

FINAL REPORTFINAL REPORTFINAL REPORT

The GEOTRAINET project is co-funded by the European Commission’s Intelligent Energy Europe Programme Project: IEE/07/581/S12.499061

This document has been edited by the European Federation of Geologists (EFG). Rue Jenner 13 B-1000 Brussels www.eurogeologists.eu ISBN: 978-2-9601071-2-8 © The GEOTRAINET project partners own the intellectual property rights for all the project deliverables. These deli-verables have been published to serve the geothermal heating and cooling market. The use of the didactic mate-rials and curricula by others organizations for economical profit is illegal. The indication of the property rights refe-rence is obligatory for all other use of the documents.

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Euro-pean Commission.

5.1 Ground system linked with heat pump 18

5.2 Injection or extraction of heat into or from the ground 18

5.3 Impact of geological data to choose or size the ground part of the GSHP 20

5.4 Which data at which stage of a project 22

5.5 Collect and evaluate geological data 23

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3.1 Objectives and outcomes 10

3.2 Course programmes 14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2.1 Curriculum for Designers of Shallow Geothermal Systems 4

2.2 Curriculum for Drillers of Shallow Geothermal Systems 7

2 CURRICULA FOR DESIGNERS AND DRILLERS 4

3 GEOTRAINET COURSES 10

GEOTRAINET Final Publication 1

1 PREAMBLE 2

1.1 Project Fact Sheet 2

1.2 Objectives 3

4 DIDACTIC MATERIALS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS 16

4.1 Training Manual 16

4.2 Presentations 16

4.3 E-Learning Platform 17

7 GEOTRAINET EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION STRUCTURE 26

9 CONCLUSIONS 29

6 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY MAP AND GEOLOGICAL DATA BASE 23

5 GUIDELINES TO FACILITATE THE ACQUISITION OF ADEQUATE GEO- LOGICAL DATA AND TO EVALUATE AND SIZE GSHP PROJECTS 18

8 GEOTRAINET FINAL CONFERENCE 28

GEOTRAINET PROJECT PARTNERS 30

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1 Preamble

Programme area: Heating and cooling

Coordinator Isabel M Fernández Fuentes European Federation of Geologists, France

E-mail: isabel.fernandez@naturalsciences.be

Tel: +32 2 7887636

Partners European Geothermal Energy Council, EGEC, Belgium

Arsenal Research, Austria

Bureau de Recherches Geologiques et Minieres, BRGM France

Consolidated Project Management Services, GT Skills,

Ireland

Romanian Geoexchange Society, RGS, Romania

Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain

University of Lund,Sweden

Newcastle University, United Kingdon

Website www.geotrainet.eu

Objective To develop the training of professionals involved in Ground Source Heat Pump installations (GSHP)

Benefits The project includes the creation of a EU-wide certification scheme for planners and installers of GSHP

Keywords Geothermal Heating and Cooling

Duration 09/2008 – 02/2011

Budget € 952.004 (EU contribution: 75%)

Contract IEE/07/581/S12.499061

1.1 Project Fact Sheet

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1.2 Objectives

Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) contribute greatly to energy saving and

emission reduction. In Europe, a sustainable market has only been estab-

lished in few countries like Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. One

of the barriers to a sustainable and growing geothermal market is the lack of

appropriate skilled personnel, and quality of design and drilling are not always

satisfactory. Furthermore to keep quality up, a certification programme for

GSHP workforce is required.

The objective of the GEOTRAINET project supported by the European Commission’s IEE programme (“Altener”) is

therefore to develop a European-wide educational programme as an important step towards the certification of geo-

thermal installations. From the different groups of professionals involved in a GSHP installation, the GEOTRAINET

project focuses on two target groups: designers (those who carry out feasibility and design studies, including geology)

and drillers (who make the boreholes and insert the tubes). The long term aims of the project include the development

of standards in the growing industry of geothermal energy with a view to protecting the environment and ensuring high

quality standards for customers.

During the first period of the GEOTRAINET project, a platform of European ex-

perts in GSHP has done research on the necessary data for GSHP design and

installation. The experts involved in this platform have been selected for their

large experience in this area. They cover the different areas of specialty and

background qualification, and represent European countries from different geo-

logical and climatic zones. They evaluated skills required to design, drill and

install GSHP and created curricula for GSHP designers and drillers.

Based upon this work, didactic materials like manuals, presentations and an European E-Learning platform for shal-

low geothermal applications have been created. These tools finally have been evaluated and optimized through the

implementation in 10 training courses held by partners based in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Romania, Spain,

Sweden and the UK. The courses covered all issues relevant to Shallow Geothermal Design from concept and feasi-

bility studies, through design and integration to installation and regulation.

Furthermore the GEOTRAINET project aims to improve the access to geological data necessary for the design of

Geothermal Energy Heating and Cooling installations because adequate understanding of the geological setting of the

installation site is a mandatory issue for the design of every GSHP. Finally, the project intends to give impulses to the

development of a European certification framework will be developed.

GEOTRAINET Final Publication

2 Curricula for Designers and Drillers of Shallow Geothermal Systems

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2.1 Curriculum for Designers

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A FUNDAMENTALS AND CONSTRAINTS LEARNING OUTCOME

A1 Overview of shallow geothermal systems

This subsection gives an overview of the natural and technical background, starting from ground tem-peratures and basic system concepts. As geothermal energy, in the public’s perception, is often associ-ated with volcanoes and geysers, the possibilities to use the shallow underground with moderate tem-peratures need to be explained. The difference in the concept of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) and Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) is presented, as well as the possible options for coupling the systems to the ground. The advantages and disadvantages of both closed systems (Borehole Heat Exchangers, BHE) and open systems (groundwater wells) are highlighted. The subsec-tion is rounded up by information of market and prospects.

UNDERLYING BASIS

Knowledge of ground-coupling

technology alternatives Knowledge of GSHP limiting

conditions

A2 Limitation

This subsection considers the potential of shallow geothermal systems as well as limiting factors when it comes to apply them in practice. It is intended to make the students aware of the boundary conditions within which the design of shallow geothermal systems needs to be done, in respect to possible energy sources; geology / hydrogeology; climate; environmental issues; costs; regulations.

ANALYSIS, DESIGN AND IM-PLEMENTATION

Ability to perform the feasibility

study

A3 Concept and feasibility studies

This subsection deals with the information required for performing a feasibility study and how to get this information. For such study, the following questions have firstly to be answered:

Will a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) with groundwater wells or Borehole Heat Exchangers (BHE) be allowed on a certain site?

What is the underground geology in regard to thermal parameters, drilling, and environmental issues?

What are the thermal loads to be covered?

With this data the ground-side design can be assessed in a preliminary way. For the underground data acquisition, in the stage of a concept study typically no investigations penetrating into the underground (drilling, geophysics) are made, in order to keep costs low. Finally, the economic feasibility needs to be checked: What are the estimated investment and operation costs?

B INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN LEARNING OUTCOME

B4 Ground heat transfer

Some fundamentals of heat transport in the underground are covered in this subsection. Basically there are three possible kinds of heat transfer: Heat Conduction, Heat Convection, and Heat Radiation. Inside soil and rock, heat radiation can be neglected. Hence only two transport mechanisms need to be con-sidered. In many cases, the actual heat transfer in the underground is a mixture of both conduction and convection, in varying degrees; in solid rocks without pore space, heat transfer occurs by conduction only.

UNDERLYING BASIS

Knowledge of Borehole Heat

Exchanger Design Fundamen-tals

B5

Design criteria

The most important design criteria for ground source heat pump systems are the following: High per-formance, high reliability, high system safety, cost effectiveness

A high performance of the GSHP installation must be achieved. To achieve high system reliability over the lifetime of the whole system is not a sole question of proper design; much more important are: the installation work, the commissioning, overall quality control. The installation should use only certified, tested and approved material and system parts.

To guarantee high system safety, both installation and the future operation have to follow exactly any manufacturers’ and authorities’ instructions and specifications.

Beside these items, there is a main maxim to follow in the design procedure: simplicity. The systems should be as simple as possible. This maxim helps to minimize many of the possible system faults dur-ing operation.

The following table contains the curriculum for geothermal designers, including detailed information on the knowledge

imparted during each of the seven sections of the course (Fundamentals and constraints; Introduction to design;

Integration with the ground; Integration with the building; GSHP system alternatives; GSHP installation; Regulation).

In the right column the table also presents expected learning outcomes of the training courses for Designers.

GEOTRAINET Learning outcomes are statements of what a learner is expected to know, and/or be able to

demonstrate at a completion of a period of learning. The GEOTRAINET programme outcomes can be described as

quality standards for competences, skills and knowledge. They have been ranged in the following categories:

For each of the mentioned categories the levels of knowledge and skill are measured against the criteria of

APPRECIATION, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE and ABILITY.

Underlying Basis

Analysis, Design and Implementation

Technological, Methodological and Transferable Skills

Other Professional Skills

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C INTEGRATION WITH THE GROUND LEARNING OUTCOME

C7 Geology

The geological framework is a mandatory issue in every shallow geothermal system design procedure. In comparison to conventional heating and cooling installations, the ground is the additional element in a GSHP. While designing a GSHP installation, an accurate knowledge of the geological conditions where the GSHP is located and the way of integrating this data while sizing the heat pump are key parameters in the success of the project.

The differences between rocks and soil, the basic classification of different families of rocks, under-standing its disposition in the ground, knowing the fundamentals of ground mechanical, thermal and hydrogeological behavior are necessary matters in the design of medium and large GSHP systems.

UNDERLYING BASIS

Knowledge of geological and

geothermal parameters of the underground

Basic hydrogeological knowledge

Familiarity with different drilling and digging technologies

C8

Drilling

Shallow geothermal systems are mainly based on boreholes and wells. Knowledge about the different drilling methods and tools, the field of application, their limitations, costs and risks are principal issues. In the same way the designer should know about casing systems, piping alternatives, filling and sealing materials, as well as methods of execution.

This subsection supplies the information for choosing the appropriate drilling method for the planned system, for determining diameters or the necessity for auxiliary casing, and to forecast the costs in order to evaluate the technical and economical feasibility of different alternatives.

ANALYSIS, DESIGN AND IM-PLEMENTATION

Appreciation of the complexity of

geological problems and the feasibility of their solution

Knowledge about the choice of the optimum drilling method

Appreciation of the preparation of borehole reports including lithol-ogy and groundwater

Ability to perform the relevant documentation including identifica-tion and drawing of drilling loca-tions

C9 Site investigation (ground conditions / licenses and permits)

This subsection considers the importance of pre-investigation before finalizing a ground source heating and cooling (GSHP) design and commissioning a system. It considers three phases to pre-investigation:

- Desk Study

- Legal and Regulatory Issues

- Site Investigation

While the legal and regulatory side can only be treated more generally on a European scale (most rele-vant procedures are defined on national level and need to be outlined separately in courses for each country concerned), the site investigations are dealt with in more detail. In particular the two standard techniques are explained comprehensively: The well test (pumping test) for groundwater wells, and the Thermal Response Test (TRT) for closed systems, respectively.

D INTEGRATION WITH THE BUILDING LEARNING OUTCOME

D10 Heat pump technology

Heat pumping technologies are widely used for upgrading natural low-temperature energy from renew-able sources, such as air, water, ground and waste heat, to useful temperatures. They are used for residential and commercial space and water heating, cooling, refrigeration and in industrial processes.

The aim of this subsection is to inform designers about the technology of the heat pump so that they are able to make a correct choice in the design of a GSHP. The selection phase of a heat pump must be carried out subsequent to the thermal load analysis phase and after the internal distribution system is defined. The designer must understand the specific boundary conditions a heat pump imposes on the shallow geothermal (ground side) design.

ANALYSIS, DESIGN AND IM-PLEMENTATION

Appreciation of Heat pump

technology Understanding thermal building

load data assess­ment and the interaction between building loads and ground-side design

D11 Energy load

Among the several parameters that are of importance in the design and development of an optimized ground coupled heat exchanger, the following relate to the energy load:

- The climatic conditions

- The building type and its energy demand profile

This subsection focuses on the analysis of the building energy demand profile and on the detailed ther-mal load calculations of cooling and heating, which will be necessary for the general ground coupled heat exchanger design. Both represent basic aspects in the conception and final dimensioning of such system, as they affect the basic energy balance between the surrounding soil and the installation.

E GSHP SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES LEARNING OUTCOME

E12 Design of borehole heat exchangers (BHE)

A borehole heat exchanger (BHE) is meant to carry a fluid inside the underground and allow for ex-change of heat between the underground and the fluid. The BHE consists of pipes containing the fluid and must include a design for the return of the fluid from the deepest point in the borehole back to the surface. Basic designs are discussed in this subsection, and some practical topics from subsection 6 are repeated.

ANALYSIS, DESIGN AND IM-PLEMENTATION

Knowledge of issues concern-ing the GSHP system alterna-tives selection: heating/cooling; available ground area, BHE design

Knowledge of design methods and relevant software

E13 BHE design examples

This subsection explains in part (a) the design of BHE for small buildings, which is normally done by using a specific extraction rate in W/m. Both methods according to VDI 4640 and to SIA 384/6 are dem-onstrated with an example, and compared to a calculation using EED for the same example. In part (b) a good practice case study for a large system with >100 BHE is given with the an example from Roma-nia.

TECHNOLOGICAL, METHODO-LOGICAL AND TRANSFER-ABLE SKILLS

Gaining experience in practical computer-aided design sessions

E14 Design of horizontal collectors

The horizontal array is the most demanding of all geothermal collector types in terms of the ground area required to produce a specified geothermal energy yield. For this reason it is very seldom used in urban or even suburban installations. Nonetheless, in rural settings or in regions of low density development, the horizontal array can have advantages over borehole geothermal collectors. The purpose of this subsection is to identify and discuss the factors which must be considered in the evaluation of a site for a possible horizontal collector.

B6 Borehole heat exchangers

In this subsection the BHE is discussed in all aspects, both in thermal transport theory and in practice. A BHE should allow for as little temperature difference as possible between surrounding ground and fluid inside the pipes. This can be expressed with borehole thermal resistance (rb), a summary parameter. For the pattern of groups of BHE it can be said that for heating-only installations a maximum thermal interaction with the surrounding ground is desired, since the intention is to extract the thermal energy from the ground (or to dissipate it into the ground). In case the ground should be used for storage of thermal energy (UTES), too much thermal interaction with the ground surrounding the storage volume in the ground is undesirable.

ANALYSIS, DESIGN AND IM-PLEMENTATION

Knowledge of GSHP Design

Criteria

GEOTRAINET Final Publication

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F GSHP INSTALLATION LEARNING OUTCOME

F15 Installation and grouting

Installing the Borehole Heat Exchanger (BHE) and grouting the borehole have the same importance for the completion and the future operation of the system as the drilling itself or as connecting the BHE to the Heat Pump. The following key points ensure a good job

The borehole must be kept open until grouting has finished. Thus any auxiliary casing is removed after grouting.

The BHE tubes need very careful handling during transport, on-site storage and installation.

Grouting needs special attention and care. These are the three main functions of the grout:

The installing and grouting work is done by the driller. But the designer should know what to expect from this working phase, and may also be assigned to supervise such activities.

UNDERLYING BASIS

Knowledge about construction of

groundwater wells, installation of relevant pipes, pumps and control systems

Knowledge about the installation of borehole heat exchangers, grouting, backfilling or otherwise completion of the ground source system

Appreciation of welding of plastic pipes and other connection meth-ods

TECHNOLOGICAL, METHODO-LOGICAL AND TRANSFER-ABLE SKILLS

Ability to perform quality control

F16 Functional and quality control

System control, testing, commissioning, documentation, maintenance, and monitoring for the GSHP installations are discussed in this subsection.

G REGULATION LEARNING OUTCOME

G17 European legal situation and standards

Geothermal heating and cooling is an immature market in Europe as a whole so that there is little in the way of European level standardization or normalization of the design or installation of ground source heat pump systems. In some countries, the market has been in existence for longer and has developed to the point that there is a substantial market which has prompted development of the national stan-dards for various aspects of the design and installation.

This subsection sets out the situation on normative standards across Europe and considering national situations, and summarizes the key aspects of the most important available standards. The way forward in the development of further normalization is identified for discussion.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Knowledge about European Legal Situation and Standards, both on ground and on building side

Knowledge about environ-mental issues

G18 Energy efficiency building codes

The implementation of a project with an efficient HVAC GSHP system is impossible without knowledge of the technical details of the project and, at the same time, the legal aspects of the development. Dur-ing the engineering activities of such a project, the specialists must consider all the regulatory elements required by the efficiency standards.

The information presented in this subsection is required from the start of the feasibility study phase for a GSHP application, and is extremely useful at the stage of monitoring the application, so all engineering phases involved in a project with GSHP require knowledge of the concepts and guidelines discussed here.

G19 Environmental issues

Environmental aspects in respect to the protection of ground and groundwater are of paramount impor-tance in any shallow geothermal project. The main environmental problems associated with GSHP are presented in this subsection; they include:

Impact on ground/groundwater:

- leakage of antifreeze or refrigerant

- connecting different aquifers or aquifers to surface

- drilling into artesian aquifers

- thermal effects.

Other impacts:

- other adverse effects (swelling clays, anhydrite, etc.)

- pollution during drilling

The entire content of this curriculum is deepened in the training manual developed for European designers of GSHP

which intends to provide relevant and accessible support for ongoing education in this sector:

Geotrainet Training Manual for Designers of Shallow Geothermal Systems. Geotrainet, European Federation of Ge-

ologists, Brussels, 192pp. ISBN: 978-2-9601071.

The use of this manual is recommended by the GEOTRAINET consortium for all European training activities in the

field of shallow geothermal design.

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2.2 Curriculum for Drillers

The curriculum for drillers and the contents of didactic material have

been delivered by this GEOTRAINET panel of drilling experts. The ex-

perts have been involved also in the training activity. The experience

during this training period has supported the improvement of the final

course program as presented in this document. Over the lifetime of the

project, the listed experts received support on specific topics from other

persons involved in the GSHP industry, who cannot all be mentioned

here. This additional input as well as the feedback from the training

courses is appreciated very much.

The curriculum contains information and data necessary for the correct

handling of drilling operation for GSHP, including the necessary field

tasks for site testing. The content is divided in three sections; each section has subsections with the relevant topics. In

total the curriculum has 20 subsections. Below the structure of the curriculum is presented, with the main concepts

developed in each section and subsection.

A GENERAL TOPICS The first section aims to give a general overview of the GSHP systems currently used in EU countries, and in what types of applications

different systems are commonly used. Furthermore, an overview regarding the potential and limitations with respect to a number of impor-

tant factors is given. Since drilling is an essential part of any GSHP system, an overview of methods and differences between countries as

well as the importance of test drilling for designing purposes is covered. The first two subsections are common for both designers and

installers.

A1 Overview of shallow geothermal systems: This subsection gives an overview of the natural and technical background, starting from ground temperatures and basic system concepts.

As geothermal energy, in the public’s perception, is often associated with volcanoes and geysers, the possibilities to use the shallow un-

derground with moderate temperatures need to be explained. The difference in the concept of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) and

Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) is presented, as well as the possible options for coupling the systems to the ground. The

advantages and disadvantages of both closed systems (Borehole Heat Exchangers, BHE) and open systems (groundwater wells) are

highlighted. The subsection is rounded up by information of market and prospects

A2 Limitations: This subsection considers the potential of shallow geothermal systems as well as limiting factors when it comes to apply them in practice. It

is intended to make the students aware of the boundary conditions within which the design of shallow geothermal systems needs to be

done, in respect to - Possible Energy sources - Geology / Hydrogeology - Climate - Environmental issues - Costs - Regulations

A3 Drilling methods: An overview and summary of the drilling methods relevant for shallow geothermal systems is given.

A4 Test drilling (purposes): This section covers basically the required field investigations for the relevant parameters and the part the drilling plays for these investiga-

tions.

A5 Environmental concerns: A driving force for the usage of GSHP systems is the potential positive impact the systems have on the global environment (especially for

reduction of CO2 emissions). On the other hand, there are local environmental concerns that have to be addressed in an early stage of any

GSHP project. This subsection presents possible environmental problems while drilling, and geological situations that might present envi-

ronmental risks when drilled into.

B SPECIFIC TOPICS FOR CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEMS “Closed Loop” means systems with a heat carrier fluid which is circulated in a closed circuit inside the underground, commonly a Borehole

Heat Exchanger (BHE) inserted into a vertical borehole. The fluid carries heat or cold into or out of the soil and rock around the borehole,

normally at moderate temperature. The most common application is a single borehole or a couple of boreholes, used for a family house.

The system is in most cases serving the house with space heating, occasionally the system is also used for comfort cooling, There are also

large sized systems, including those with seasonal storage of heating and cooling (Borehole Thermal Energy Storage, BTES). This type of

system is commonly applied for commercial and institutional buildings and consists of a large number of boreholes within a defined space. Closed-loop systems have a large geographical potential since they can be applied under almost any geological conditions. Furthermore,

these systems have a limited thermal influence on the surroundings. Hence, they can be rather densely located and applied in urban ar-

eas. Drillers and installers will be involved in a number of actions for the construction of closed loop systems. The curriculum aims to cover

actions needed for large scale applications, and issues required for smaller systems are incorporated into the large scale scheme.

GEOTRAINET Final Publication

B6 Performance of test drillings: Large BTES systems must always be carefully site investigated with respect to geological conditions and underground thermal properties.

A normal part of these investigations are test drillings followed by thermal response test (TRT).

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B7 Performance of TRT (Thermal Response Test): Test activities normally involve the driller/installer and have to be performed in way that gives the best possible results The driller typically

is not concerned with the evaluation of the test, but needs to know the basic principle and the constraints to this test method, in order to

provide the best possible conditions for the actual test operation.

B8 Safety aspects: Depending on specific site conditions and applied drilling methods safety aspects is always an important issue. Often there are country

specific laws and regulations to be followed.

B9 Drilling an installation of BHE: The actual construction involves drilling (often on a limited space and with several drilling rigs), and installation of BHE. The performance of

this work can be done differently, but the result must be a functional system with a high degree of accuracy. In connection to the construc-

tion, grouting is an important step (only under some crystalline hard-rock circumstances like in Scandinavia grouting might be omitted).

B10 Connection plastic welding: The connections of the ground pipes to headers, manifolds, connection pipes, and the building system must be done by proven technol-

ogy, commonly by plastic welding. The welding methods, equipment, quality requirements, standards etc. are considered.

B11 Filling with heat carrier and de-aeration: Filling requires proper mixing (in case of brines), flow and pressure control, and a thorough de-aeration before commissioning of the sys-

tem. In particular with glycol-based brines de-aeration needs proper attention, sufficient flow rates and several repetitions, as these media

tend to produce foam in the presence of air.

B12 Functional testing (procedure and documentation): To secure that a perfectly tight and safe system has been constructed, the final step involves a number of pressure and flow tests. The

results of these tests must be properly documented and will in fact be the contractual guarantee for the driller/installer.

C SPECIFIC TOPICS FOR OPEN-LOOP SYSTEMS In an “Open Loop” system ground water is used to carry heat and cold out of or into water-bearing geological formations (aquifers). The

contact with the aquifer is obtained by using water wells. These can be abstraction or injection wells, and in many cases the wells can have

both functions. Since aquifers have a limited geographical potential and that usage of groundwater is regulated in most countries, the open loop systems

are less frequent than the closed loop systems. On the other hand, if properly constructed, the efficiency is higher. The most common

applications are for large-scale heating and cooling of commercial and institutional buildings. They are also used for process cooling in the

industrial sector as well as for district heating and cooling. The aquifers can be used directly for cooling, but the major applications are

done with seasonal storage of heat and/or cold (named Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage, ATES). Pumping and injection of groundwater is a challenge, since it will hydraulically influence a large area around the wells. There is also a

permit situation that has to be considered in an early stage of a project. For this reason, the site investigations have to cover detailed infor-

mation’s, not only related to the aquifer, but also to the surrounding hydrogeological conditions and other usage of land.

C13 Performance of test wells (MWD, geophysical logging, hydrochemical sampling): Test wells need to be adapted to the specific questions the designer plans to investigate, and have to be constructed by the driller in accor-

dance to these requirements. Data collection can already begin during the drilling process (measurement while drilling, MWD), e.g. by

monitoring pressure, advancing velocity, water inflow or losses, etc. Geophysical logging as well as hydrochemical sampling typically is not

done by the driller itself, but by specialized companies; however, drillers need to know the basic requirements for these activities, in order

to support them on site. From a technical point of view, water chemistry is a central issue to consider for estimation of potential problems

with scaling, corrosion and well clogging.

C14 Performance of pumping test (data collection): A pumping test in a test well is crucial for determination of aquifer characteristics. While the evaluation of such test and the subsequent

design steps are not part of the typical drilling job, the actual pumping and data acquisition often has to be performed by the drillers. In a

test well, temporary pumping equipment and water-level gauges are used.

C15 Production wells – types and construction methods: Well design and the related installations are other issues that need to be specially considered in order to construct a functional system. The

various well completion methods with screens, filter etc. are explained.

C16 Tests after completion: After construction the system must be carefully tested. This can include another pumping test, this time for confirming the actual sustain-

able well yield. Within this stage the controlling equipment (flow, temperature and pressure) must also be carefully checked.

C17 Well installations, well house, mains and fittings: Installations within the well (submersible pumps, sensors) or on top of the well (line-shaft pump motors, valves, connections) often are part

of the driller´s job. Also the protective housing of the equipment on top of the well (either underground in a well cellar, or above ground in a

well house) needs to be constructed by drillers frequently.

C18 Functional tests of the total system: After completion of the individual components, the entire systems needs to be tested propery construction the system must be carefully

tested. In this stage the controlling equipment (flow, temperature and pressure) must also be carefully checked.

C19 Documentation, required documents: Proper documentation is needed for the licensing authorities as well as for later reference. Certain documentation in some countries is

governed by standards, other is at the discretion of the driller. The minimum requirements are presented in this subsection.

C20 Maintenance instruction and service: Finally, since the open loop system is sensitive for disturbances (clogging etc.), maintenance and service are other subjects that need to

be considered.

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2.2.1. FIELD TRIPS

It is of importance that course attendees are given the possibility to visit GSHP plants already constructed. This will

give them the opportunity to study technical solutions in details, but also to have experienced information from people

operating the plant. The study visits should cover both closed and open loop systems and there should be documents

available describing the plants to be visited.

2.2.2. FINAL DISCUSSIONS

At the end of training the attendees should have the possibility to have a final discussion to ask questions that may

not have been covered during the lectures or the field trip.

2.2.3. LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end, the level of skills achieved and certified as a result of the proposed training courses will require the in-

staller to demonstrate the following key competences:

understanding geological and geothermal parameters of the underground and knowing their determination, no-

menclature and identification of soil and rock types, preparing borehole reports including lithology, groundwater,

etc.; basic geological and hydrogeological knowledge

familiarity with different drilling and digging technologies, choice of the optimum drilling method, ensuring protec-

tion of the environment (in particular groundwater) while drilling,

ability to install borehole heat exchangers, to grout, backfill or otherwise complete the ground source system,

and to perform pressure tests; skills for welding of plastic pipes and other connection methods,

ability to construct groundwater wells, to install the relevant pipes, pumps and control systems

ability to perform the relevant documentation incl. identification and drawing of drilling locations

Field trip to Verheyden Putboringen drilling site in January 2011

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3 GEOTRAINET Courses

3.1 Objectives and outcomes

In the context of the DIRECTIVE 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the

use of energy from renewable sources (RES) April 2009, there is a very

high demand for training courses delivered in all EU countries. The ob-

jective of the GEOTRAINET courses was to test the quality of curricula

and course programmes developed during the project period.

The courses for training the trainers were presented as of interest to

those with experience in the design and installation of shallow geother-

mal systems and in the delivery of training and dissemination of these

subjects. Delegates were provided with presentation material to assist in

the development of training courses in their own countries. This will be

part of an ongoing process towards the creation of a European certification

Framework for shallow geothermal installers, and raising and coordinating national and European standards in GSHP

systems. Moreover, the training courses for designers were of interest to those who have existing experience of the

design of ground source heating and cooling (GSHC) systems and to those who are intending to develop professional

competence in this field. The course focused primarily on closed loop GSHP systems. Finally, the aim of the courses

to train drillers responded to the demand from the GSHP market. The drillers normally have a background in mechan-

ics and work for drilling companies in water, foundation engineering, etc.; only few are SMEs fully dedicated to geo-

thermal energy.

During the project period, twelve

courses have been delivered with a

total of 380 participants. The first

two courses of GEOTRAINET were

oriented to prepare trainers in

Europe; there were also four

courses for Designers and four

courses for Drillers delivered by the

trainers and members of the expert

platform.

The involvement of participants from

different countries and with a range of

experience and qualifications has provided a very rich forum for the GSHP sector. Figure 1 presents the training activ-

ity schedule during the project time.

Figure 1: Geotrainet courses held during the project period

Theoretical session

Practical session: Field trip to Verheyden, Putboringen

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In each training course the participant have filled out a questionnaire for the training course evaluation. The feed-

back of the participants in the courses has allowed refinement and improvement of the course programmes, and

consequently also continuous improvement of the didactic material presented in this manual, which has been a liv-

ing draft throughout the project.

The 380 participants distribution by country of the course is presented in figure 2.

The participants came from 22 countries, the majority nevertheless has been from the countries where were held

the training course, what is illustrated in figure 3.

Figure 2: Number of participants in each training countries. Figure 3: Countries of the participants

The participants came from a full range of qualifications and nationalities (figure 3 and 4). This ample spectrum of

the participants’ background has produced a very rich exchange of practice between participants and teachers. The

participants left the training course with very satisfactory comments and opened so an extremely positive discussion

on GSHP systems.

Figure 4: Qualifications of the course participants

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3.2 Course programmes

The levels of existing skills and knowledge expected of the people who are to be trained are:

Professionals: engineers, geologists, technicians with 5 year of experience. Professional with the level 8th

of education in the system EQF (European Qualification Framework)

Students: post graduate, more than 3 years in geology, engineering, hydrogeology, etc

The training courses for DESIGNERS comprises 3 days of classes, two of them being dedicated to theoretical

courses and one to a practical training course.

The 2-days theoretical course aims at providing the theoretical

part of the shallow geothermal designer training. They cover geo-

thermal resources and ground source temperatures of different

regions, soil and rock identification for thermal conductivity, regu-

lations on using geothermal resources, determining the most suit-

able geothermal heat pump system, sizing of system layout, drill-

ing technologies, installation of borehole heat exchangers, well

construction, pressure testing, logistics, building codes, and envi-

ronmental safety. The training provided, as well, good knowledge

of any European standards for shallow geothermal, and of rele-

vant national and European legislation.

The 1-day practical training course consists of a practical computer

aided design session and, wherever possible, of a visit to a nearby

GSHP installation.

At the end of the training course a test with 20 questions is pre-

sented to the participants with the aim of assessing the level of

knowledge acquired during the training course.

An exemplary course outline for designers is given on the following page. It follows mainly the course program of the

last designers course held within the lifetime of the GEOTRAINET project, in January 2011 in Brussels. According to

national specific requirements, site constraints, etc., course programs might have to be adapted for individual courses.

However, the basic curriculum as given in this document needs to be covered in each course.

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08.30 Registration

Section A: Introduction

09.00 Course introduction: about GEOTRAINET in the frame of European shallow ground source heat pump development

09.15 Overview of Shallow Geothermal Energy Systems

09.45 Limiting conditions

10.45 --- COFFEE BREAK ---

11.00 Feasibility study (Concept study)

Section B: Introduction to Design

11.30 Design Fundamentals

12.00 Design Criteria

12.30 Borehole heat exchanger

13.00 --- LUNCH ---

Section C: Integration with the Ground

14.00 Geology

14.30 Drilling (methods, costs, limitations, risks)

15.00 Site investigation (ground conditions / licenses and permits)

15.45 --- COFFEE BREAK ---

Section D: Integration with the Building

16.00 Heat pump technology

16.45 Energy load

Section E: GSHP System Alternatives

09.00 Design of Borehole Heat Exchangers (BHE)

09.45 BHE design examples (small / large)

10.30 Design of horizontal collectors

11.00 --- COFFEE BREAK ---

Section F: GSHP Installation

11.30 Installation and grouting

12.00 Functional and quality control

12.30 --- LUNCH ---

Section G: Practical session

13.30 Introduction practical session, computer session

14.30 Individual practical session - participants

16.00 --- COFFEE BREAK ---

17.00 Practical session correction

Designers Programme – 1st

Day

Designers Programme – 2nd

day

Designers Programme – 3rd

day

09.00 Section H: Technical Tour

Section I: Regulations

13.30 European Legal Situation and Standards

14.00 Energy-efficiency building codes

14.30 Environmental issues

15.00 --- COFFEE BREAK ---

Section J: Examination and Evaluation

15.30 Questions / Examination

16.30 Course evaluation, Distribution of certificates of participation

17.00 --- END OF COURSE ---

GEOTRAINET Final Publication

08.30 Registration

Section A: Introduction / General topics

09.00 Course introduction: about GEOTRAINET in the frame of European shallow ground source heat pump development

09.15 Overview of Shallow Geothermal Energy Systems

09.45 Limiting conditions

10.45 --- COFFEE BREAK ---

11.00 Drilling Methods

11.45 Test drilling (purposes)

12.15 Environmental Concerns

13.00 --- LUNCH ---

Section B: Specific topics for closed-loop systems

14.00 Performances of test drillings

14.30 Performance of TRT (Thermal Response Test)

15.15 Safety Aspects

15.45 --- COFFEE BREAK ---

16.00 Drilling and Installation of BHE

17.30 End of the day

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Drillers Programme – 2nd

day 09.00 Connection plastic welding

09.30 Filling with heat carrier and de-aeration

10.00 Functional testing (procedure and documentation)

10.30 --- COFFEE BREAK ---

Section C: Specific items for open-loop systems

10.45 Performance of test wells (MWD, geophysical logging, hydrochemical sampling)

11.15 Performance of pumping tests (data collection)

12.15 Production wells – types and construction methods (a)

13.00 --- LUNCH ---

14.00 Production wells – types and construction methods (b)

14.45 Tests after completion

15.15 Well installations, well house, mains and fittings

15.45 --- COFFEE BREAK ---

16.00 Functional tests of the total system

16:30 Documentation, required documents

17:00 Maintenance instruction and service

Drillers Programme – 1st

Day

An exemplary course outline for DRILLERS is given below. It follows mainly the course programme of the last drillers

course held within the lifetime of the GEOTRAINET project, in January 2011 in Brussels. According to national spe-

cific requirements, site constraints, etc., course programmes might have to be adapted for individual courses. How-

ever, the basic curriculum as given in this document needs to be covered in each course.

Drillers Programme – 3rd

day Additional where possible: Technical Tour

09.00 Visit to a drilling site

Section D: Evaluation for Drillers GSHP

15.00 Questions

16.00 Course evaluation

16.30 Distribution of certificates of participation

17.00 --- END OF COURSE ---

These training courses are made for drillers already working in the geothermal sector:

Professionals with 3 years of experience (For drillers without any experience, a training course of mini-

mum 4 weeks must be organized)

Students with background in mechanics

In general the training course for drillers has 2 days:

2-days theoretical course

if possible in the region where the course is given, an additional visit to an ongoing drilling site for shallow

geothermal should be organized

These 2-days courses aim at providing the theoretical part of the shallow geothermal driller/installer training. They

cover items listed in Annex IV of the Directive 2009/28/EC (geothermal resources and ground source temperatures of

different regions, soil and rock identification for thermal conductivity, regulations on using geothermal resources, drill-

ing technologies, installation of borehole heat exchangers, well construction, pressure testing, logistics, building laws,

and safety). The training provides good knowledge of any European standards for shallow geothermal, and of relevant

national and European legislation.

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4 Didactic Materials and Supporting Documents

4.1 Training manual for Designers and Drillers of Shallow Geothermal Systems

The GEOTRAINET project has delivered two training manuals, one for designers and one for drillers of Shallow Geo-

thermal Systems. These manuals have been developed for European experts of Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)

and are intended to provide relevant and accessible support for their ongoing education. They are based on the curric-

ula developed by an international platform of experts from the GSHP sector during the period of the project. As the

course texts, the manuals are designed for a formal training program in the design of GSHPs, including practical dem-

onstrations and real case studies based on experience. Both documents will be available at the GEOTRAINET web-

site www.geotrainet.eu.

The manual for Designers is a document of 190 pages, with 19 chapters divided into seven sections. The document

has been presented as deliverable from GEOTRAINET project on the Brussels Training course for Designers, 24-26

January 2011, and in the GEOTRAINET Final Conference. It has been written by 11 authors, all of them members of

the GEOTRAINET panel of experts:

Burkhard Sanner, EGEC

Olof Andersson, SWECO, Sweden

Walter J. Eugster, Polydynamics, Switzerland

Göran Hellström, University of Lund, Sweden

Iñigo Arrizabalaga, Telur Geotermia y Agua, S.A., Spain

David Banks, Newcastle University, United Kingdom

Javier F. Urchueguía, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain

Paul Sikora, Ecocute Ltd., Ireland

David Norbury, D.Norbury & Associates, UK

Radu Polizu, Romania Geoexchange Society

Radu Hanganu-Cucu, Romanian Geoexchange Society

The coordination of this publication has been carried out by EFG, Isabel Fernandez.

The Manual for Drillers contains 120 pages, with 16 chapters divided into four sections, including specific items for

closed systems and open loop systems.

This manual has been written by 4 authors, who are all members of the GEO-

TRAINET panel of experts:

Burkhard Sanner, EGEC

Olof Andersson, SWECO, Sweden

Walter J. Eugster, Polydynamics, Switzerland

Iñigo Arrizabalaga, Telur Geotermia y Agua, S.A., Spain

The coordination of this manual has been carried out by EGEC, Philippe Dumas and Sarah Keane.

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The training period helped the experts to improve the course programme and the didactic materials. All the presen-

tations given during the 10 courses are now available in the Geotrainet website and the participants have received a

password providing them access to the presentations of the training course in which they participated.

This is particularly important as presentations are available in different languages according to the place where the

course was held (English, French, Spanish, Romanian).

4.3 E-learning platform

The Geotrainet training course for Designers of Shallow Geothermal Systems is available as an e-learning course at

the GEOTRAINET e-learning platform, www.geotrainet.eu.

This course is available for the public via registration at the GEOTRAINET website.

The Designers e-learning course is based on the curriculum developed by an international platform of experts from

the GSHP sector during the project period, that already has been presented in the second section of this document.

The teachers’ contacts are available in the electronic courses and there exist as well two fora, one for participants and

one for teachers.

The e-learning course for designers on GSHP includes an evaluation system based on 20 questions. The student can

interactively consult the information on his results.

4.2 Presentations

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Shallow geothermal systems are typically combined with heat pumps (Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) also

called Ground Coupled Heat Pumps (GCHP)). The heat source or heat sink may be rock, soil or groundwater, de-

pending on the heating or cooling needs. To choose the right system for a specific installation, the geological and hy-

drogeological setting of the site must be investigated and modelled to give the ground related parameters needed for

successful and sustainable design.

5.1 Ground system linked with heat pump

Geothermal Energy can be collected through various types of ground heat exchanger. Table 1 below presents a few

examples of the ways in which heat is taken from or returned to the ground.

There are numerous possible configurations for underground heat exchangers and choices have to be made in terms

of geometry, excavation technique, layout and appropriate choice of fluids as summarised below:

Geometry: Installations may be vertical or horizontal

Excavation and implementation techniques include vertical or directional drilling, trenching, or use of an auger.

Layouts may be based on direct or indirect expansion and include single or multiple exchangers

Fluid selection must be appropriate to the thermal transfer anticipated

As illustrated in Figure 5, these systems can be classified generally as open or closed systems.

Both Open or close systems can work to allow the GSHP to produce heating or/and cooling needs.

The main feature of open systems is ground-water wells, to extract or inject water from/to aquifers. The-

sesystems tend to be used for large installations. The depth depends on characteristics of the aquifer and

can vary from some tens of metres to several hundred metres deep

Closed systems can have multiple configurations, they can be settled in depths varying from less than

one meter (horizontal system) to several hundreds meters (vertical systems). They can be used for small

(individual house) to large buildings.

The key features of a particular installation are highly varied, and depend on site specific considerations including:

geology, hydrogeology, land availability, heating and/or cooling needs, regulation, market, environmental aspects,

professional expertise, and national or local support.

5.2 Injection or extraction of heat into or from the ground

Successful GSHP installations require the design of ground heat exchangers (open or closed loop) capable of inject-

ing and/or extracting the amount of heat appropriate for the temperature limits under which the heat pump operates

efficiently. Typically, ground exchangers are designed so that their return fluid temperature is not lower than -5°C in

heating mode or higher than 35°C in cooling mode.

Optimum ground properties for GSHP applications result in a minimum temperature difference between the fluid in a

given heat exchanger and the undisturbed ground when this exchanger injects/extracts heat to/from the ground. Such

ground would result in a smaller, and therefore cheaper, heat exchanger being required to inject/extract the required

heat from the building space conditioning system while respecting the temperature of the fluid entering the Heat Pump

(EWT) limits. Since the ground exchanger is often the most expensive component of a GSHP system, the ground

properties have a major impact on the economics of the system.

A higher ground thermal conductivity (k) results in a lower temperature difference between boreholes and the undis-

turbed ground for a defined thermal impulsion. Similarly, a higher thermal inertia (ρCp) should also result in a lower

temperature variation.

5 Guidelines to facilitate the acquisition of adequate geological data

to evaluate and size GSHP projects

SMALL & INDIVIDUAL LARGE SCALE Where?

OPEN LOOP Ground water HP Extraction of ground wa-ter

(10 to 100 m deep)

(50 to 1 000 m deep)

On areas with access to an aquifer (mainly sedimentary)

CLOSED LOOP

HORIZONTAL HEAT EX-

CHANGER (0.5 to 1.5m deep, Imple-

menting with an excavator)

VERTICAL HEAT EX-

CHANGER (50 to 200 m deep)

THERMO-ACTIVE FOUNDATIONS

(1 to 30 m deep)

VERTICAL HEAT EXCHANGER FIELD

(50 to 500 m deep)

Every where - ground data are necessary for sizing the system and choose the drilling method - thermal properties vary with the water content of the ground

SPIRAL HEAT EXCHANGERS

(5 to 15 m deep, implementation with an auger)

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Figure 5: Some of the main GSHP systems used in Europe

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5.3 Impact of geological data to choose or size the ground part of the GSHP

GSHPs can be installed at virtually any location (Rybach & Sanner, 2000), but the choice and dimensioning of the

geothermal part depends on local geological conditions. It is important that these are determined as accurately as

possible when designing a system, to maximise efficiency and minimise installation costs. Factors that need to be

considered are: surface temperature, subsurface temperatures (down to 10–200 m), thermal conductivities and

diffusivities of the soil and rock layers, groundwater levels and flows, and aquifer properties.

In addition, rock strength is a critical factor in determining the excavation or drilling method required at a site and the

associated costs.

A good design and dimensioning is the present challenge for designers and engineers.

The main factors that need to be considered are the:

5.3.1 Surface temperature

In the case of horizontal ground heat exchangers(0.5 to 1.5 m deep), the main thermal

recharge is provided mainly by solar heating and the local climatic conditions can

therefore have an important influence. The altitude in mountainous zone must be also

taken into account (see figure 6).

5.3.2 Subsurface temperature

At depths of about 15 m the temperature is approximately constant and equal to the

mean annual air temperature (Rybach & Sanner, 2000)

Below a depth of around 15 m, temperatures are affected by the earth heat flow. As a

result of the earth heat flow, temperatures increase with depth (local geothermal

gradient). (Figure 6).

5.3.3 Thermal conductivity and diffusivity of the different soil and rock layers

These data are necessary to calculate the required total length of the ground-heat

exchanger to produce the load requested, and also the number and the space between the elements.

Thermal conductivity varies by a factor of more than two for the range of common rocks. It is especially affected by

porosity and water content. The water content also has a significant impact on the thermal conductivity of superficial

deposits.

Thermal diffusivity is a measure of ground thermal conduction in relation to thermal capacity and relates the rock

thermal conductivity, the specific heat and the density.

Some indicative thermal properties of rocks and soils are set out below:

Figure 7: Typical thermal properties for superficial deposits (Gale, 2004)

General tables of thermal conductivities and diffusivity are available in some publications (see in Appendix 2: a table from German

VDI4640)

Figure 6: Heatflux from « Exploitation de la chaleur tirée du sol et du sous-sol »,

OFEV –Office Fédéral de l’En-vironnement, Suisse 2009

Class. Thermal Conductivity

W m-1 K-1

Thermal diffusivity

10-6 m2 s-1

Sand (gravel) 0.77 0.45

Silt 1.67 0.60

Clay 1.11 0.54

Loam 0.91 0.49

Saturated sand 2.50 0.93

Saturated silt or clay 1.67 0.66

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Thermal Response Tests (TRTs) are used to study the thermal properties of a ground-heat exchanger. These tests

are used to determine, the effective thermal conductivity of the system (influenced by the thermal conductivity of the

ground, the water flow and material used for grounding) and the thermal resistance of the energy well. The results

obtain by means of TRT are used in the final design and dimensioning of large systems (usually fields of more than 10

or 20 ground heat exchangers) to avoid over (or under) dimensioning ground heat-exchangers fields, and to define the

strategy of exploitation for the lifespan of the system (several tens years).

5.3.4 Ground water level(s), flow(s) and chemistry

Ground water has major impacts on the design and performance of both open and closed-loop systems.

Thermal properties are diminished when rocks become unsaturated and hence groundwater levels impact on heat

exchange performance.

Groundwater flow will transport heat and affects the heating and cooling performance for both open and closed loop

systems.

Groundwater conditions can affect the efficiency of a closed loop system, particularly as the thermal properties of un-

consolidated sediments and rocks are dependent upon the level of saturation.

Groundwater quality can also be an issue, particularly where corrosion or clogging can occur.

5.3.5 Aquifer properties

For open loop systems it is necessary to know the abstraction potential; although systems are generally non-

consumptive overall (due to reinjection).

The size of the heat pump unit and the manufacturer’s specifications will determine the amount of water that is

needed for an open-loop system.

For medium to large size open-loop systems (more than 30 kW capacity) hydraulic testing (“test pumping”) is neces-

sary to determine transmissivity (and thence hydraulic conductivity), storage and well efficiency.

For water wells, important parameters are:

Depth of the well, and water level (for pumping equipment)

Potential water flow rate

Nature of the aquifer (e.g. whether any special equipment is required in the well, such as casing to keep it

open or a gravel pack)

Chemistry of water

5.3.6 rock strength, lithology, deepness and thickness

Rock strength is a critical factor in determining the excavation or drilling method required at a site and the associated

costs.

For vertical closed loop systems, when drilling to depths of 100 m or more, several formations with different physical

properties might be encountered. Each of the formations around the ground collector loop may have different thermal

properties and these will affect the heat exchange performance.

Careful description (where necessary, backed up by sampling and testing) by a competent geologist is important in

ensuring that the configuration of different rock types is properly understood and their thermal properties determined.

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5.4 Which data at which stage of a project

The site investigation and data collection stage of a GSHP project should take place in three distinct phases before

finalising the selection and design of a ground source heating and/or cooling system:

5.4.1 Desk study and feasibility study

This paper considers only the desk study requirements for assessment of the ground conditions which are going to be

encountered when drilling/excavation work will start (i.e. the design of borehole(s) or trench array (surface equipment

are not considered here).

Several aspects must be considered in a desk study:

Prediction of geological and hydrological conditions. At the desk study stage, this is achieved by ref-

erence to published or commercially available maps or geological databases containing data from previ-

ous site investigations. This allows preliminary decisions to be made as to the most efficient and locally

well adapted system for heating and cooling (open or closed loop). If the information that is available in

the desk study is not sufficient, it may be necessary to undertake some geological mapping or site investi-

gation pitting or drilling to provide sufficient information for these important early decisions that inform fea-

sibility.

Identification of local constraints. (e.g. sensitive ecosystems requiring special care, access difficulties

for large equipment, presence of buried services or overhead power lines that may be encountered during

the drilling or excavation work).

Assessment of potential environmental or other impacts of the proposed installation on neighbouring

properties or services (e.g. noise, dust and other nuisance during construction, derogation of nearby water

supplies, inundation or collapse of open excavation).

Preparation of a safety plan for the drilling / excavation work

5.4.2 Legal and regulatory issues

It is necessary at this stage to ensure that all applicable local regulations and laws are understood and that potential

protected areas are identified.

Generally, a GSHP requires a licence (or at minimum a declaration) from the relevant authority for ground-water pro-

tection, water management or mining. There may also be building codes or regulations that must be satisfied and

neighbours may need to be consulted or notified before work can proceed.

5.4.3 Site investigation

At the site investigation stage the technology will normally have been selected (open or closed loop) and the needs of

heating (and/or cooling) will have been determined (unless it has been decided that further geological investigation

should be deferred to this stage). More detailed local data are now needed for optimised sizing of the ground part of

the heating/cooling system.

For large scale installations, a pilot (or test) borehole is generally drilled before full-scale construction commences.

For small or individual systems pilot boreholes are not generally used. However, in cases where there is no adequate

pre-existing geological or hydro-geological information arising from the desk study, it may be necessary to carry out

the site investigation in two phases, starting with exploratory geological boreholes before final decisions can be taken

as to the technology to be used and the ground part of the system can be optimised through the specialist site investi-

gation described here.

Two types of testing can be performed:

Hydraulic testing (“test pumping”) - to determine transmissivity (and thence hydraulic conductivity),

storage and well efficiency. These are particularly important for designing an open loop system.

Thermal response testing (TRT) - to determine thermal transmissivity (and thence average thermal con-

ductivity) and borehole thermal resistance. These are particularly important for designing a closed loop

(size and position wells in the case of a field of probes).

5.5 Collect and evaluate geological data

As described above, establishment of site conditions is of fundamental importance in the selection of appropriate

GSHP technology and system design. It is essential to establish the geologically related factors impacting on GSHP

(heating and cooling efficiency, drilling methods, heat exchange performance, protected areas) at the desk/feasibility

study stage of the GSHP system design. It is therefore important that designers (or drillers or installers) in each of the

27 EU countries has an appreciation of the data required and sources of geological data that are available.

In the EU, the National Geological surveys manage geological and hydro-geological data and data bases. They pro-

vide both raw or interpreted data, sometimes on open public access but more usually in commercially available pack-

ages (this varies from country to country).

The following sources of geological and hydro-geological data are typically available:

Web-based applications to reach, extract or order the public geological data

Dedicated Web site providing information more or less detailed

Decision-making tools (GIS- , dedicated e-reports, other,…) very helpful for this stage

According to countries, the access to the data can be free, paying or reserved…

Within the GEOTRAINET project the availability of geological data provided by the website of each national Geologi-

cal survey has been analysed (European Geological Data for GSHP: http://www.geotrainet.eu/moodle/mod/resource/

view.php?id=574).

In this European Geological Data for GSHP file you can find general information for each EU country, including the

web address of each National Geological Survey (national geological information provider). By clicking on the coun-

try’s name you can obtain access to more detailed information. Some National Geological Surveys have developed

information systems that present geological data specifically for GSHP to support the geothermal energy market.

Local geological data are necessary to make the geothermal energy choice, but in any case a feasibility study con-

ducted by engineering consulting firms specialised in geology is indispensable for every GSHP installation project.

The local geological data are necessary to make the geothermal energy choice, but in all cases a feasibility study

conducted by engineering consulting firms specialized in geology is indispensable for any GSHP project.

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6 Geothermal map and geological database

During the project period a European Geothermal Map has been designed. Overlaid on a geological map, where the

basic geological characteristics of Europe are presented, are indicated the ground average temperatures between 10

to 150 m depth. This poster that can be found on the two following pages also proposes an overview of adapted Heat-

ing and Cooling technology for Ground Source Heat Pumps.

The map pretends to support the dissemination of Geothermal energy as a renewal energy resource in Europe.

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7 GEOTRAINET Education and Certification Structures

As shallow geothermal systems continue to capture an increased market share, the need for competent designer

and drillers also increases. The overall idea of the training programs is to provide the market with trained experts in

the field of shallow geothermal technology. An accredited training system is seen as the most effective way to pre-

vent the market becoming saturated with low quality, poorly installed systems.

The project GEOTRAINET ended in February 2011. One of the outcomes is a concept for training and certification

of drillers and designers, which was developed by the project partners representing their countries. To continue the

work on a European level, the project partners formed the education committee, located at EGEC / EFG, European

Education Committee, EEC.

The common understanding is that the EEC should keep the quality standards on an equal high level in all partici-

pating countries. The committee particularly coordinates education and certification activities in different countries

and initiates new activities, e.g. through new research results or market demands. In the next figure present the

coordination between the EEC and the Training and Certification Boards (Fig 4). The structure provide common

standard between European National Members.

Figure 8: GEOTRAINET Education and Certification Structures

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The European Training Board has as main tacks: maintenance of the training commitment including the mission state-

ment, training targets, training standards, records; updating and refinement of established training standards; transfer

and exchange of know-how at European level; templates of documents for trans-national co-operations; continuing

information exchange; monitoring of quality of national training schemes; and promotion of GEOTRAINET label.

The National Training Coordinator has as main tacks: implementation of the international training standard and defini-

tion of specific adaptations needed at national scale; report to international education committee considering required

amendments and adaptations of training standard; notification of any changes of training system to national training

institutes; dissemination of training program at national level; and communication to national training institutes.

The National Training Institutes (NTI) carries out

the training courses. Responsibility for the imple-

mentation and maintenance of the training pro-

gram, dissemination on local level, sub-contracting

to trainers and reporting to the national coordinator.

The European Certification Board is monitoring the

quality of implementation and performance of the

certification scheme and their compliance with the

European certification standards and guarantee

that the certification program will be maintained on

international level. The board is also supporting the

continuing exchange of information and experi-

ences between members, updating and refinement

of the standards in regular board meetings.

The National Certification coordinator maintains the agreed certification standards on national level. The main targets

are: maintenance close collaboration with GEOTRAINET National Training Coordinator; to ensure the continuation of

the European GEOTRAINET training program and to enable a continuously updating of the program and the expan-

sion of the system to new countries a stable financial basis is required; implementation of the European certification

scheme into the national framework system and definition of specific adaptations needed at national scale; report to

European certification board considering required amendments and adaptations of certification scheme; notification of

any changes of scheme to operative certification body; dissemination of certification scheme at national level.

The National Certification cooperation bodies put the certification system into action. Responsibility for maintenance of

the certification scheme; granting, maintaining, renewing, expanding and reducing certifications as well as suspending

and withdrawing of certification; maintenance of policies and procedures for the performance of certified persons,

managing the certification body finances; sub-contracting to committees or individuals; records (reports, staff profiles,

checklists); national data base; homepage (information material and reference list); cooperation with a quality man-

agement; and definition of policies and procedures for resolution of appeals and complaints.

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8 GEOTRAINET Final Conference

Royal Academy of Sciences, Brussels, 27 January 2011

This conference not only concluded one full week of activities

dedicated to the GEOTRAINET project, but was also the last high-

light of this two-year project that will come to an end in February

2011. The week began with the organization of the last of eight

three day training courses for drillers and designers of Ground

Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) and ended, on the day after the con-

ference, with the final management board meeting of the project.

The conference was attended by more than 60 representatives

from fifteen European countries and included delegates from both

the public and private sectors, notably representatives from the

European Institutions that supported the project financially through

the European Commission’s Intelligent Energy Programme.

During the first session of the conference the overall results of the project

were presented; these were very positively received by the delegates from

the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme. Some of the most notable

achievements of the project have been the development of curricula for de-

signers of GSHP and drillers involved in installation of these systems, the

publication of a training manual for designers and the launching of an e-

learning platform for the sector.

The second part of the conference presented clearly all elements to be taken into consideration concerning the future

certification of GSHP installers with regards to the Directive on Renewable Energy Resources 2009/28/EC as well as

different approaches to the implementation of this Directive in the respective Member States. This session concluded

with an outline proposal for a certification framework for GEOTRAINET provided by the partner company AIT/Arsenal.

The third session evaluated finally in a very comprehensive way the outcomes of the project and presented visions for

future continuation of GEOTRAINET. Due to the high appreciation of the project by participants, partners and officials,

diverse recommendations and suggestions were given during the discussion session as to how to pursue ongoing

GEOTRAINET objectives after the end of the project in February.

In the future GEOTRAINET will certainly have its own identity, inde-

pendent of the associated partners who created and shaped the pro-

jects during more than two years. The partners expressed the hope

that the outcome of the project and the continuation of the training and

updating of the supporting resources will be important instruments

contributing both to the implementation of the RES Directive and sup-

porting the market of geothermal energy, in particular by increasing

the expertise of professionals in this sector.

From left to right B. Sanner, W.Gillet, I. Fernandez, O. Anderson)

The conference participants

Reception in the marble hall of the Royal Academy

9 Conclusions

The vision of the GEOTRAINET project is that the training and certification programmes will be recognised all over

Europe and provide benchmark standards for consistent voluntary further education in the field of shallow geothermal

systems in all participating countries. This training is essential for people interested in becoming accredited shallow

geothermal designers and drillers. EFG supports this training as activities within the framework of the Continual Pro-

fessional Development of geologists in Europe.

The short term impact of the action is to maintain momentum and facilitate delivery of GEOTRAINET training in all

countries already covered by the project. The first step will be the creation of the European Education Committee with

a European Training Board. The partners involved in the project will be in charge with the development of a National

Training Coordinator, NTC, in the eight countries. They will control of minimum quality standard of the National Train-

ing Institutes, NTI, which required GEOTRAINET training.

In the medium term, the aim is to make available GEOTRAINET training in all MSs and Europe in general. To

achieve this objective, GEOTRAINET will use the networking contract list delivered during the project period. They will

be in charge with the NTC in the new countries, and consequently with the coordination of the NTI.

The long term vision of the project includes the development of education structure and certification to continue

support in the growing industry of geothermal energy with a view to protecting the environment and ensuring high

quality standards for customers. To achieve this objective, the GEOTRAINET certification structure needs to be imple-

mented. The implementation will be coordinated by the GEOTRAINET committees in collaboration with the national

and regional public authorities. In this context, GEOTRAINET pretends to be a support for the implementation of the

DIRECTIVE 2009/28/EC, Article 14.

For the sustainability of the activities mentioned, it will be necessary to allocate economic and logistic resources.

The economic sustainability will be ensured by the training activities. The NTI’s need to support the NTC’s, and the

NTC’s will be the support for the ETC. In contraposition, the ETC will be responsible for the provision of common stan-

dards for all European National Members, the update of didactic materials and the expert’s contributions. The NTC’s

will act as the interface between the European Standards and the training delivered in the NTI’s.

The logistic sustainability of the project will be assured by the collaboration between the two European associations

involved in the project, EFG and EGEC. The regularly update of the GEOTRAINET web site and the management of

the e-learning platform will be made sure by EFG. The promotion of the GEOTRAINET training and certification pro-

gramme in the different European member states will be guaranteed by the collaboration between EGEC’s and EFG’s

national member associations.

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GEOTRAINET PROJECT PARTNERS

European Federation of Geologists

www.eurogeologists.eu

European Geothermal Energy Council

www.egec.org

Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières, France

www.brgm.fr

Arsenal Research, Austria

www.arsenal.ac.at

Romanian Geoexchange Society

www.geoexchange.ro

GT Skills, Ireland

conodate@mac.com

Newcastle University

www.ncl.ac.uk

Universidad Politénica de Valencia

informacion@upv.es

Lund University

www.lu.se/lund-university

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