Simulation of hybrid GSHP systems utilizing radiant ceiling terminal and system evaluation with analytic hierarchy process method

Hybrid ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems which utilize capillary radiant ceiling are promising to provide a better building comfort while reducing energy consumption. We have developed a GSHP model and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method for evaluating the system feasibility. The hybrid GSHP system provides heating/cooling for an office in Wuhan, China. A conventional HVAC system – water chiller + gas boiler (WB) system was also simulated. The results showed that the hybrid system would provide a better indoor comfort and remains at the thermal comfort class I, and the hybrid system would incur a 14.5% lower cost but would provide 43.2% more energy saving. The hybrid GSHP system could reduce 20.23 tons of CO₂ emission, while 1.39 tons more SO₂, 0.39 tons more NO_x and 9.70 tons more Ash emissions could be produced. Overall, the hybrid system performance evaluation result (SPER) was 0.966, and the WB system was 0.746. These SPERs were quantified system evaluation results calculated using the AHP method, which have considered the impacts of the various factors – economic cost, energy saving and environmental impact. The hybrid GSHP system is more adaptable than the WB system and has a good application prospect in this climate region.