Ombline Le Maréchal, a graduate of the National School of Geology (ENSG) in Nancy with a specialization in water and environment from Polytechnique Montréal, serves as the Geologist Team Lead at Celsius Energy. She oversees all operations related to the subsurface aspects of projects, leading a team of geological and hydrogeological engineers. Her team plays a critical role in sizing installations and supervising construction work through to the commissioning of facilities.
To start, could you explain how geothermal heating and cooling works?
The principle of geothermal heating and cooling involves extracting heat (calories) and cooling energy (frigories) from the subsurface, usually around 200 meters deep, or 500 feet in U.S.. These energies are amplified by a heat pump and transferred to the building. Depending on the season, the system either extracts heat to warm the building during winter or removes heat to cool it in summer. The removed heat is stored in the subsurface for future use.
Energy recovery methods include using an aquifer or employing closed geothermal bores. These bores consist of U-shaped tubes through which water circulates, exchanging heat with the surrounding rock. Ground heat exchangers, unlike those reliant on aquifers, are environmentally friendly and can be installed anywhere, offering a sustainable and versatile solution.
How is the preliminary sizing of an installation performed?
Characterizing the subsurface is a critical first step and one of our core areas of expertise. As a subsidiary of SLB (formerly Schlumberger), Celsius Energy leverages a century of experience in subsurface analysis. This expertise is essential for conducting advanced modeling and achieving accurate sizing for installations.
We utilize an internal tool that integrates multiple databases. These resources include subsurface banks, which contain geological cross-sections from previous drilling projects, as well as a geothermal database recording all surface geothermal operations nationwide, complete with thermal response test results. This comprehensive dataset allows us to refine our understanding of subsurface parameters with a high level of precision.
What does preliminary sizing enable?
During the preliminary phase, we design the configuration of the "geothermal battery," specifying the number of bores, their depth, and their placement. This setup is integrated with a digitally controlled HVAC system tailored to the building’s needs.
The configuration is modeled over several decades to predict long-term performance and calculate energy, environmental, and financial savings. A key advantage at Celsius Energy is our proprietary 3-in-1 digital tool, developed internally and hosted within our Digital Hub. This innovative tool compiles public and private data to predict subsurface parameters and model both surface and subsurface installations, setting us apart as market leaders in geothermal heating and cooling solutions.
Can geothermal heating and cooling systems be installed everywhere?
Yes, geothermal heating and cooling systems, particularly those using ground heat exchangers, can be installed across a vast majority of regions. Studies and maps from BRGM in France, United States Geological Survey (USGS) or British Geological Survey highlight the environmentally friendly nature of ground heat exchangers.
Celsius Energy continues to innovate and refine its solutions, unlocking new possibilities for geothermal heating and cooling in diverse settings.
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