Full-Scale Evaluation of an Energy Foundation for Buildings

EW-201153

Objective

The objective of this project is to document design and construction requirements and costs, heat energy reduction, and carbon energy reduction of an energy foundation heat pump system for a building as compared to a conventional HVAC system. This technology demonstration will take place at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.

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Technology Description

Energy foundations refer to the placement of heat transfer tubing in foundations during construction (and possibly a retrofit) in order to circulate heat transfer fluid in the foundation elements to provide a heat source/sink for a heat pump. Energy foundations require less energy to provide heating and cooling to the building than commonly used heating and cooling systems. In addition, they require less energy than air-source heat pumps because they exchange heat with the subsurface soil and rock that have a relatively constant temperature.

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Benefits

Expected benefits from implementation of energy foundations include a reduction in energy consumption required to heat (and cool) the building and in carbon emissions as compared to conventional HVAC systems. Energy foundations also can help offset costs associated with borehole drilling when installing traditional ground source heat pumps, and because the outdoor land space requirements are no longer needed, energy foundations have a broader range of transferability throughout the Department of Defense building portfolio. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2014)

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Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Dr. Karen Henry

U.S. Air Force Academy

Phone: 719-333-7471

Program Manager

Energy and Water

SERDP and ESTCP

Document Types

  • Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
  • Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
  • Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
  • Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
  • Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
  • Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
  • Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
  • Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
  • Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.