The Geo-HEP High-Performance Energy Pile
Geothermal Energy
for Efficient Cooling and Heating
What is the Geo-HEP High-Performance Energy Pile?
The Geo-HEP high-performance energy pile is the central functional component of our geothermal system for cooling and heating buildings, machinery, and technical processes.
Its large-volume design combines a large heat exchange surface with the ground with an integrated thermal storage mass. This allows short-term thermal loads to be buffered and heat to be exchanged with the surrounding ground.
Each Geo-HEP system is custom-designed according to the application, power requirements, and site conditions.
An Outstanding Example of Efficient Energy Use
The DENA Energy Efficiency Initiative highlights the use of six high-performance energy piles for process and machine cooling as a practical example of particularly efficient energy use.
- 99% reduction in final energy consumption
- 130,749 kWh in annual final energy savings
- 80 metric tons of CO₂ reduction per year
In the documented project, heat from the production process was transferred directly to six high-performance energy piles via a heat exchanger and mixing system. This allowed the return temperature to be reduced from 50 °C to a required flow temperature of 21–23 °C.
The System Principle at a Glance
Absorbing, Transferring, and Utilizing Thermal Energy
01
Absorbing Thermal Loads
Absorb
heat from buildings, machinery, or technical processes.
02
Exchange and buffer
Store
thermal energy temporarily and exchange it with the surrounding ground.
03
Cooling and Heating
Use
the ground for passive cooling and as a heat source for a heat pump.
Cooling and Heating Using the Subsoil
The relatively constant temperatures of the ground allow for two different thermal applications of the Geo-HEP system.
Passive Cooling
Heat from buildings, machinery, or processes is conveyed to the Geo-HEP system via a closed heat transfer loop and transferred to the subsurface.Under suitable conditions, this does not require a conventional refrigeration machine operating continuously.
Heat Supply with a Heat Pump
In heating mode, the Geo-HEP system provides geothermal heat as a heat source for a heat pump.The heat pump raises the temperature to the level required for buildings or technical processes.
What sets the high-performance energy pole apart?
Large heat exchange surface area
Extensive heat exchange with the surrounding ground.
Integrated thermal mass
Preferably, approximately 43 m³ of water can store thermal energy.
Short-term load buffering
Thermal load peaks can initially be buffered within the system.
Compact system solution
High thermal performance in a comparatively small footprint.
Integrated thermal mass
for thermal peak
loads ≈ 43 m³ of thermal mass
The thermal storage mass in the high-performance energy pile should be distinguished from targeted long-term seasonal storage. Geo-HEP Systems is developing a standalone seasonal storage system for this application.
Could Geo-HEP be a good fit for your project?
The location, application, and custom design determine the potential that the high-performance energy pile offers for your project. Three factors can help with an initial assessment.
Location is a deciding factor
The performance of a Geo-HEP system and the number of high-performance energy piles required depend largely on the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the site.
For what applications?
The system is particularly useful for continuous or regular cooling needs, as well as for applications that require both heating and cooling throughout the year.
Each Geo-HEP system is custom-designed
We guide you through every step of the process—from needs assessment and site evaluation to the project-specific design of the Geo-HEP plant.
Is the Geo-HEP high-performance energy pile suitable for your project?
Whether the high-performance energy pile is suitable for your building, production facility, data center, or the modernization of an existing system can be initially assessed based on key project and site data.