Concept of radiant cooling and geothermal system

1. Project Name
Country, City:
System: Underfloor cooling, TABS, Geothermal energy
Date: 14/03/2014
The suggestion of S.A.P Automations pvt India
www.sapautomations.in
Energia Inovation and Uponor to match your
www.be.net/filippidisioannis &
www.uponor.com
building project.
Concept of radiant cooling and geothermal
system
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2. Table of contents page
1 Project target and proposed solution ……………………..........................................................................3
2 Concept description ........................................................................................................................4
2.1 Indoor climate systems - overview .............................................................................4
2.1.1 The Underfloor cooling system (UFC) ………………………...........................4
2.1.2 The Thermally Active Building System (TABS) “Contec”……………… .......5
2.1.3 Radiant cooling and green energy.........................................................6
2.1.4 Controls...............................................................................................9
3 Appendix - References ....................................................................................................................13
3.1 Villa Energy Class A+........................................................................................ ……..13
3.2 American University of Beirut .............................................................................16
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3. 1. Project target and proposed solution
The challenge for any project is to provide optimal indoor thermal conditions .
The ideal project is located in a location with challenging outside conditions,
imposing challenges to the design of the indoor climate systems (HVAC) to deliver
optimal thermal environment, minimizing in that way the risk of thermal
discomfort and draft. Due to ambient environment of high temperatures and
humidity, cooling loads are significantly high.
Even if the ambient temperature is high, the target is to achieve an optimal indoor
thermal environment for the occupants, meeting the highest international
standards for thermal comfort. Apart from the resident’s thermal comfort, the
decrease of the actual environmental impact of these residential constructions to
the surrounding environment represents a crucial and important target to meet.
The high standard of living needs to meet low energy consumption and low
environmental impact to the area; prosperity and luxury should meet social
responsibility and preservation of the environment.
Our proposal is a cooling concept utilizing an underfloor cooling (UFC) system for
the floor embedded in the screed layer below the floor finishing (marble).
Moreover, our proposes an ceiling radiant cooling system, the Thermally Active
Building System (TABS), to be installed in the ceiling of the second floor, under the
roof. Both of these systems will be connected to earth piles, utilizing the earth
energy for cooling and heating (if necessary). Apart from the indoor climate
systems described above, we can offer a high quality and globally unique seamless
multi-layer pipe (MLCP), combining the advantages of plastic and metal pipes. This
MLCP plumbing solution, accompanied with the unique MLCP modular riser
system, constitutes a top quality plumbing system for a high profile project.
Low energy consumption, decrease in environmental impact, renewables and
green energy, combined with optimal thermal comfort for the occupants; a
comprehensive solution from Uponor to meet the highest standards of such a high
profile and demanding project.
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2. Concept description
Our concept suggestion is based on the introduction of two different radiant cooling systems as a very comfortable and energy efficient
solution. This radiant cooling system will operate at supply water temperatures closer to the space temperature and thus would
function in an energy efficient way. Furthermore, this characteristic of the radiant cooling systems to work with higher temperatures
than
the conventional HVAC systems, constitute radiant cooling ideal to combine with renewables; in this case the radiant cooling systems
can be combined with earth energy to utilize green energy. This chapter shows the concept which is chosen from the Uponor product
portfolio and gives an overview of the solution, which fits perfectly with the comfort demands to the bridges.
The different systems that are suggested for this special and demanding project are illustrated and described in the next section.
2.1 Indoor climate sytems – overview
2.1.1 The Uponor Under floor cooling system (UFC)
The underfloor cooling systems serves for cooling output from the floor and also to compensate for any direct solar radiation from
the open sides of the buildings, when shading is nor desired or unavailable. The high thermal transmittance of the floor covering
(marble, tiles) accompanied with the high solar gains at the sides of the floor, enables the system to absorb the high solar gains and
create an optimal and equally distributed thermal environment covering base load, eliminating the risk of draft and temperature
asymmetry.

5. The under floor cooling system is embedded in the screed, positioned with a special mesh right on the top
of the concrete slab or an insulation layer if this is installed. The system will absorb sensible
cooling loads and compensate for direct solar radiation to the floor if it appears. More precisely about the
solar radiation, zoning and loops positioning will be conducted based on expected solar radiation, allowing
peripheral zoning and thus ensure optimized solar gains absorption system balancing. The installation of
the pipe will be done with spiral pattern, so that balanced surface floor temperature can be achieved.
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2.1.2 The Uponor Thermally Active Building System (TABS) “Contec”
The Uponor TAB system “Contec” utilizes the concrete’s thermal mass by embedding pipes carrying water cooling in the building’s
structure. This way, the ceilings contributes to the sensible cooling of the building. The embedded pipes activate the concrete core in
the building mass for storage and discharge of thermal loads. While the Uponor TAB system is not an air-conditioner and is not a
substitute for a ventilation system, the task of conventional technologies is reduced to a minimum – which helps ensure the best
possible indoor environment. In an invisible, inaudible way without draught. That’s innovative to the core.
Uponor Thermal Active Building System “Contec“

6. Comfort is ensured by optimal temperatures provided by a silent system that does not circulate air: no dust, no draughts – ensuring
a healthy indoor environment. The invisible system also gives freedom of space and flexible indoor design. The reliability of the
Uponor TAB system has been confirmed in more than 1,000 building projects since 1997 – with safely embedded heat exchangers in
building constructions. Low energy use is achieved by a mean operating water temperature (16 –24°C) that is
close to the ambient environment. This increases heat-source efficiency and enables the use of renewable and free cooling sources
in accordance with a low-energy design principle. Last but not least: the Uponor TAB system “Contec” is cost effective. This starts in
the construction phase and lasts throughout the life of the building.
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The TAB System “Contec” covers the basic cooling load in the office building. The system will
absorb part of the sensible cooling loads and ensure that the room temperature is kept at
comfortable level. The system is embedded in the middle of the concrete slab, the neutral zone
and uses the mass of the concrete slab as a thermal storage. This will create a buffer zone, acting
like insulation, against he high solar gains to the roof.
2.1.3 Radiant cooling and green energy
The energy performance of buildings plays a major role in curbing climate change. These aspects include energy efficiency, efficient
utilisation of renewable energy sources, health as well as overall environmental friendliness and lifecycle thinking. The lifetime of a
building is between 50 and 100 years. It is therefore crucial to install a heating and cooling emitter system that can utilise future
energy sources. With an embedded radiant system the building is practically future proof, as this would work efficiently with any
possible future energy supply system, including individual solutions such as solar and ground energy or possible future district
energy solutions. This is valuable for the annual cost of energy as well as for the future property value. Radiant systems are based
on the principle of low temperature heating and high-temperature cooling. This is also known as low-energy design, meaning a
system that creates greater output using less energy. The efficient energy conversion of a radiant system results in an overall
decrease in CO2 emissions for any building type. The water in a radiant system has a capacity to transport energy 3,500 times
greater than air, so it can heat and cool using less energy than a forced-air system. Specifically when it comes to earth energy,
Energia innovation offers various systems to be coupled with radiant cooling. The suitability of the respective ground energy
system depends on the environment (soil

7. properties and climatic conditions), the performance data, the operating mode, the type of building (commercial or private), the
space available and the legal regulations.
The dimensioning of vertical collectors depends on the subsurface conditions,
the annual operating time of the heat pump system, the borehole diameter,
the borehole filling, and position of the pipes in the borehole and of the mutual
interference of vertical collector systems. Nevertheless, due to the complex
geological and hydro-geological correlation of the ground probe dimensioning
as well as the necessary special technical know-how, a Thermal Response Test
is considered essential for planning and dimensioning the vertical collector
systems. This Thermal Response Test is carried out with a
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8. manufactured ground probe. During this test the ground probe is fed with a constant thermal capacity which is then extracted.
The evaluation is made based on the Kelvin line-source theory. The results show the exact geological conditions on the site over
the complete borehole length and under typical operating conditions including the effects of a potentially existing groundwater
flux.
The characteristic of such systems is that the soil temperature remains constant throughout the year regardless of the outdoor
conditions and their annual fluctuation. This characteristic highlights the big benefit of radiant cooling combined with earth
energy systems compared to conventional air conditioning systems. As known from practice, the performance of air conditioners
decline during hot summer days. This is because the device is required to expel heat into an environment already saturated by
thermal load, and thus it makes futile effort consuming excessive amounts of electricity. If such air conditioners could expel heat
to a cooler environment such as soil, with a constant annually temperature, then their efficiency could increase and electricity
consumption could be substantially decreased. This fundamental advantage of radiant cooling systems combined with earth
energy is accompanied by the great advantage that closed systems have; very low maintenance costs, practically
insignificant. In the Appendix you can find two reference projects of radiant cooling coupled with earth/green energy. Both of
these projects demonstrate the expertise of Uponor and Energia Innovation and its partners in providing solutions that enrich
people’s lives around the world.
In the first illustrated project, a 750m2 villa in Greece has been equipped with radiant cooling and heating system coupled with
earth energy and supported for pick cooling loads and dehumidification with direct expansion fan coils. The villa was certified with
energy class A+. In the second project, the American University of Beirut (Charles Hostler Students Center, 4500m2) was equipped
with radiant cooling and heating, utilizing the seawater from the Mediterranean Sea for cooling and heating purposes.
A significantly downsized air based HVAC system utilized chillers for covering peak loads and dehumidification.
2.1.4 Hydraulics and manifolds
Each loop of the radiant cooling system will be connected to a manifold. The Uponor “Provario”
manifolds provide high flexibility for installation, since they can either be installed under the ceiling in
the suspended areas, mounted to the wall or inside raised floor. Uponor offers of course specially
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Uponor "Vario PLUS" within cabinet Example for installation in the suspended ceiling

9. 2.1.5 Controls
The unique characteristics of this project are summarized by the challenging outdoor conditions in the summer and by the need
to provide an energy efficient solution, without any compromises in the occupants’ thermal comfort. Due to the temporarily high
humidity in Abu Dhabi, special attention should be given to humidity and the related dew point, to ensure no condensation
occurs. Uponor’s solution to this matter will be the controlling of the supply temperature according to the dew point, so that
permanent dew point under range and thus condensation is avoided. The control offering of Uponor includes pump stations,
actuators, wireless or wired control stations, including room control when necessary, sensors, thermostats etc.
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10. 3 Appendix - References
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3.1 Villa Energy Class A+
The residential house in the photo has been certified as energy class A+. The total covered building area is 750m2
consisting of two floors. Downstairs there is also a swimming pool in the garden outside. Dimensions of the pool are
25x5m and the volume is 180m3. There’s also a large living room, kitchen, cinema room and a bathroom. On the
second floor there are 6 bedrooms, office of the owner and two bathrooms.
Villa Energy Class A+, equipped with Uponor radiant heating/cooling and earth energy by Energia Innovation

11. The heating loads of the building have been calculated to 45kW with an external ambient temperature of -5°C, covered
exclusively from the radiant system. The cooling loads have been calculated to 65kW with an external ambient temperature of
42°C.
A geothermal heat pump of 45kW thermal and cooling load with a recovery system producing domestic hot water at 60°C was
chosen. The rest of the cooling load has been designed to be covered with direct expansion fan coils. The designed capacity from
the radiant cooling was 50W/m2, the rest 15kW are covered from the fan coils and three water cooled VRV systems by Daikin,
only if the outside temperature exceeds 40°C. If the system was designed exclusively with chillers and fan coils or VRV system the
thermal and cooling loads would be 45% more. Besides, the higher COP of the geothermal heat pump (5 in these International
Engineering & CD, BLD Europe Tangstedter Landstraße 111 22415 Hamburg Germany Page 14 of 17 conditions) with the COP of
an air cooled system (3) provides the system with significant electricity savings (min. 63%). Last but not least, the closed
maintenance free radiant heating/cooling system with earth energy decreases the overall life cycle cost of the system.
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Villa Energy Class A+, Uponor radiant heating/cooling

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The complete installation is illustrated in the following photos. One geothermal heat pump is producing hot/cold water and
domestic hot water. Another geothermal heat pump is delivering only hot water to heat up the water of the swimming pool and
one more heat pump is producing only cold water for the wine room.
Villa Energy Class A+, plant room by Energia Innovation Ltd

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Geothermal collector, located outside in the garden

14. 3.2 American University of Beirut
The Charles Hostler Students Center with its cafeteria, offices and sport facilities was equipped in 2007 with Uponor
radiant heating and cooling. The requirements for the project were challenging, since a low energy system was needed to
cover all year long the heating and cooling demands of the building, providing a perfect indoor thermal environment for
the occupants. The location of the project imposed many challenges, since the building should be located close to the
Mediterranean Sea, with high summer temperatures and high air humidity dominating the ambient environment.
The solution that was selected was a hybrid radiant heating and cooling system. The 4.500 m² of the building where
equipped with embedded pipes for invisible cooling and heating and so the TAB System would cover the heating loads and
the base cooling loads, utilizing the seawater. An air based system was designed downsized only for meeting the peak
loads, for dehumidification and for covering hygienic fresh air indoors. This solution provided an optimal indoor thermal
environment, utilizing green energy, decreasing in that way the energy consumption and the environmental impact. The
combination of chillers and TABS lead in significant reduction of operational and maintenance costs. An innovative
solution,
perfectly matched with the ambient environment to meet the highest standards of thermal comfort.
American University of Beirut, back side
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15. American University of Beirut, front side
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16. We make innovations. We provide solutions
American University of Beirut, installation of TABS