Case Study: Ground Source Heating.
Location: Edinburgh.
Download: ground-source-heating.pdf

Brief

IKM Consulting Ltd were instructed by The EDI Group to assess the feasibility of a ground source heating system for a new development of approximately 200 houses.

Due to changes in government regulations and in order to satisfy the City of Edinburgh Council planning regulations, it was necessary that the development was produced with at least 20% renewable or sustainable supply.

Solution

IKM produced a report which included a review of an extensive documentary search of the following sources;

  • Mine abandonment plans
  • Sold and drift geological maps
  • Environmental Geology Maps
  • Hydrogeological Maps
  • Historical Maps
  • Available grants
  • Groundwater flow with temperature data
  • Correspondence with regulators and specialist contractors

Outcome

The report highlighted the key issues regarding the use of ground source heating at the site.

IKM concluded that the site was suitable for ground heating and that a closed loop borehole system would provide the greatest efficiency and value for money.

IKM recommended that a thermal response test was carried out to determine the exact thermal properties of the site, and to aid in the design of the most efficient and cost effective ground source heating system possible for the site.