Geothermal Bore Field Software

[Ziggypump]

I'm looking at 3 different geothermal bore field sizing software's: GLEHPRO, LoopLink, and Ground Loop Design (GLD). I have seen GLD used before, but was wondering if anyone had a preference between the three options. What are your personal preferences and why?

My MEP firm is looking to go from contracting this out and doing more in house, now that we have more work going geothermal.

 

[EnergyProfessional]

I don't know either software and never designed geothermal systems...but I can tell you this:
1. for any software, you still need to understand the principles. so you still need to learn about geothermal design, software or not
2. for any software you need to get a functional demo version and try out a mockup project. Ask 5 people and they tell you 18 opinions on the software. Also depends on your personal preference, and what other software your firm uses this may have to integrate with. Like if you have external software for hydronics, varying load, if you need just load, or also take into account behavior over the seasons for 20 years?

 

[Ziggypump]

EnergyProfessional:
Thank you for your comments, I personally have designed several geothermal systems and I work with several others that have designed geothermal systems as well, it's just the well field design has been outsourced. They need peek loads and annual loads, along with several other factors to determine optimal bore size, and prevent the ground temperature from changing too drastically.

I want the 18 differing opinions. I have my own ideas and would like to compare and see if someone else has experience issues that I have not or didn't expect. The three software systems listed above come from the IGSHPA website, but like all software there are pros and cons (cost being primary). Going from Trace or Hap to the Geo Sizing software should be all that's required.

 

[Drazen]

such kind of software is mostly offered by manufacturers, if at all. generic software did not develop on market probably because it cannot pay for itself, too many influencing factors where manufacturers declarations are crucial as annual efficiency of system depends on them.

you cannot refer to some generic knowledge like Bernoulli equations, generic hydraulic calculations. heat transfer through ground is very complex in theoretical model, so the best you can do if you want to make comparison is to have manufacturers reps signed calculations provided. it's more resembles the way how you select boiler than the way how you design the whole hvac system.