Sensus measures geothermal energy in pioneering project in Madrid underground
Sensus, the metering systems leader, is playing a key role in a pioneering clean energy project in Spain that is exploiting geothermal energy in the underground system in Madrid (Metro). Working with Spanish companies Termoterra and IFTec Geoenergía, Sensus became involved last summer (in 2009) in a project to use the metro environment as a means of cooling and heating the platforms, offices and commercial space of the Pacífico Metro station by installing a geothermal heat pump. How it works During the daily operations of the metro system, there is a gradual warming of the ground from a variety of sources, including the heat from the engines, the braking systems of the trains, human heat from workers and passengers and from the lighting system. This phenomenon needed a powerful cooling system in order to maintain a satisfactory temperature, which of course incurred capital and energy costs. So Madrid looked for a new solution, one that would harness geothermal energy to provide a heat source in the winter and a cooling air conditioning source in the summer (a heat sink). This concept was made real in the Pacífico underground station through a partnership between Termoterra and IFTec GoeEnergía using a geothermal heat pump (GSHP). To achieve this exchange of thermal energy, the heat pump is connected to the ground using a high density polyethylene pipe system in the shape of ‘U’. These 32 pipes are driven down 145 metres and filled with fresh water. Monitoring System monitoring is essential to prove the value of the energy source. So Sensus installed energy meters that monitor the three geothermal heat exchangers (GHE). The Sensus system also checks the secondary heat pumps that provide cooling power when environmental conditions so demand. Sensus has installed eight heating and cooling ultrasonic energy meters - PolluStat EX - and one ultrasonic flow sensor - PolluTherm. All are read remotely using M-Bus communication technology, with data transferred using Sensus’ Dokom CS software. The Sensus technology collects data on the thermal energy (heat/cool) from the geothermal pumps and also measures the energy consumed above ground. Marcel Hendriks, Main Director of IFTec GeoEnergía, explains that project monitoring is vital in analysing geothermal system efficiency. Without this data, it would not be possible to control the thermal ground balance. Víctor Pinedo, General Manager of Sensus Spain, comments: “This pilot project is vital for us because it demonstrates the value of our technology to the energy sector, particularly when it comes to proving the tangible benefits of renewable energy sources.” Ends Media enquiries to: Philip Colley, Harvest Tel: 023 9244 9655/ 07785 306378 More information: www.sensusesaap.com
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