Geothermal Community Heat technology and Transfer

GeoCoHorT aims to accelerate the transition to 4th generation district heating and

cooling (4GDHC), by assessing, optimizing, and demonstrating the integration of shallow geothermal heat extraction with other renewable sources and smart buildings. The objective is to create a tool that optimizes DH network design for best exploitation of local renewable energy sources, which can be used by both utility companies for planning and investment strategies and the community (e.g., building owners) to improve the integration of smart buildings.

A main case study in Limerick, Ireland will provide a demonstration site. The heat from the Shannon Estuary will be recycled and supplied to a smart district through heat pumps powered by intermittent renewable electricity and a suitable DH network design. The Swedish case study will involve a DH utility company and a residence industry with the aim of improving the sustainability of our cities, with fair solutions for the entire community.