Evaluation of the Techno-Economies Viability of a Geothermal Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger (EAHE) System

Abstract

In the region of South Algeria, where a harsh desert climate prevails, residents heavily rely on electricity for air conditioning during the summer. With continuous demographic growth and social and economic development, the demand for electricity is increasing, leading to a shortage in meeting this demand. From this perspective, the study offers environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions by adopting ground thermal cooling technology. In this study, the Earth-Air Heat Exchanger (EAHE) air conditioning system was utilized, a simple and cost-effective technology that reduces energy consumption and environmental pollution levels. This technology is considered effective for heating and cooling buildings, where air is passed through pipes buried in the ground. These pipes utilize the stored heat in the ground to heat the air in winter and benefit from natural coolness to cool the air in summer, thus improving thermal comfort inside buildings at a low cost and in an environmentally friendly manner. The study concludes that the EAHE system is effective for heating and cooling buildings in the studied area, resulting in an 11.4% reduction in energy costs. The total cost decreased from 93,181.96 Algerian dinars (692.32 US dollars) to 82,527.17 Algerian dinars (613.16 US dollars) with the EAHE system. The payback period for the system cost is estimated to be around 9 years. This renewable technology is effective for heating or cooling buildings, where air is passed through pipes buried a few meters underground. The stored heat in the ground is used to heat the air during winter, while natural coolness is used to cool the air during summer, contributing to improved thermal comfort inside buildings at a low cost and in an environmentally friendly manner