On 01.08.2017, a new junior research group started work at the Faculty W of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. The aim of the project group is to investigate various operating concepts for heating and cooling buildings with geothermal heat pumps. The focus is on thermal storage processes in the vicinity of geothermal probes.

The employees, who come from different specialist areas, form an interdisciplinary research team in order to incorporate different perspectives in the development of practical operating concepts. A modern geothermal probe test rig is available in the faculty's energy laboratory for the experimental investigations, which can measure both the heating and cooling operation of a geothermal probe system. A dedicated server was put into operation to simulate heat transport in the geological profile and the building technology. This allows complex model calculations to be carried out within a reasonable period of time. A holistic simulation of the supply system is necessary, especially with regard to the use of the ground as a heat or cold store.

The long-term goal of the research project is to contribute to the expansion of renewable energies in building energy supply.

The junior research group is scientifically supervised by Prof. Krimmling, Prof. Schütte and Prof. Meinert.