Cornell University
Library
Cornell UniversityLibrary

eCommons

Help
Log In(current)
  1. Home
  2. Cornell University Graduate School
  3. Cornell Theses and Dissertations
  4. TECHNO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SEASONAL BOREHOLE THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE FOR HEATING APPLICATIONS

TECHNO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SEASONAL BOREHOLE THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE FOR HEATING APPLICATIONS

File(s)
Durga_cornell_0058O_10972.pdf (3.91 MB)
BTES_37_90_3.mov (14.57 MB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://doi.org/10.7298/1cpq-t868
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/103012
Collections
Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Author
Durga, Siddarth
Abstract

Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) provides an innovative solution to utilize the subterraneous rock formations as a large thermal battery. The surplus thermal energy produced during the low demand periods is stored in the subsurface through shallow geothermal wells, and efficiently extracted throughout the peak demand months to provide space heating. In this study, a high-temperature BTES system is proposed to satisfy the daily winter heating demand of Snee Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca. The BTES is charged with overproduced summer steam (May to October) from Cornell’s Combined Heat and Power Plant and is subsequently harnessed (November to April) through an integrated heat pump (HP). To investigate the techno-economic feasibility of the project, a BTES + HP simulation tool was developed on Python 3.8.1 and validated. The tool simulates the 2-D transient heat transfer processes occurring in the rock structures and quantifies the key multi-year performance metrics (exit fluid temperature profile, the amount of energy stored/extracted, round-trip thermal efficiency and the COP of the heat pump) of the system. The technical performance of multiple BTES configurations was analyzed to optimize the BTES dimensions (number of boreholes, borehole spacing, borehole depth) for the site geological properties. The simulations indicate that an octagonal BTES array (90 m depth, 3 m spacing) with a 250 KW HT-heat pump can provide 94% of Snee Hall’s winter heating demand (COP-3.85, BTES efficiency-68.7%). The economic analysis reveals that proposed system has an NPV of $647,912 (year 30), IRR of 15%, and a payback period of 9 to 10 years. The system can offset up to 7349.45 MMBTU of natural gas combustion and save 273 MT CO2 emissions annually.

Description
112 pages
Supplemental file(s) description: BTES Simulation.
Date Issued
2020-08
Keywords
Borehole Thermal Energy Storage
•
BTES
•
District Heating System
•
Energy Efficiency
•
Heat pump system
•
Renewable Heating
Committee Chair
Tester, Jefferson William
Committee Member
Zhang, K. Max
Cathles, Lawrence M.
Degree Discipline
Chemical Engineering
Degree Name
M.S., Chemical Engineering
Degree Level
Master of Science
Type
dissertation or thesis
Link(s) to Catalog Record
https://catalog.library.cornell.edu/catalog/13277866

Site Statistics | Help

About eCommons | Policies | Terms of use | Contact Us

copyright © 2002-2026 Cornell University Library | Privacy | Web Accessibility Assistance