- West Australians invited to take part in a world-first trial of open loop geoexchange technology.
- LandCorp’s Cool Earth project at The Vive has the potential to revolutionise heating and cooling of homes in WA.
- Registrations of interest in the trial are now open.
A world-first trial using the earth and groundwater to heat and cool a residential house will take place at LandCorp’s ‘Cool Earth’ project in The Vive at Craigie.
LandCorp chief executive officer Mr Frank Marra said a registration of interest process is now open for people interested in staying informed as this project progresses, and to learn more about the upcoming sales release of the two Cool Earth houses.
“Open loop geoexchange technology has the potential to revolutionise how we heat and cool our homes across the State,” Mr Marra said.
“The system uses the natural environment rather than electricity derived from fossil fuels, to create a more efficient, affordable and environmentally-friendly home heating and cooling option for West Australians.”
“By shaving peak electricity loads it’s estimated the system can potentially reduce yearly heating and cooling bills by as much as half.”
Mr Marra said two homes are being built side-by-side at The Vive Estate for the Cool Earth demonstration project with one house to be fitted with the new technology and the other with a traditional air-conditioning unit, allowing us to measure the effectiveness of the innovative climate control system.
“A bore well has been drilled in the backyard to provide an open groundwater loop which is connected to a heat pump in the garage of the Cool Earth home.”
“The open loop system uses groundwater as the primary energy source and operates similarly to a reverse cycle air conditioner, using water through a heat pump instead of air to provide temperature control for the house throughout the year.”
“After being used to heat or cool the home, the groundwater has the potential to then be used for garden irrigation instead of using scheme water, therefore providing additional benefits and potential cost savings for purchasers.”
Mr Marra said the trial of an open loop system at LandCorp’s Cool Earth project will be the first of its kind anywhere in the world*.
“Over a two year period, a comparison of the performance effectiveness of the new technology in Perth’s unique environment will be undertaken, and the data published to allow industry to benefit from the findings”.
“The outcomes of this project will inform the development industry and potential customers about the benefits of ground source heat pumps, and their potential to promote energy efficiency and affordable living by reducing peak electricity loads.”
LandCorp is working with several partners to bring the Cool Earth project into fruition including The ABN Group, Carbonomics, The University of Western Australia and GeoExchange Australia.
The Vive at Craigie is a popular residential development comprised of 128 lots at the heart of Perth’s northern suburbs.
The development is also home to a Supported Independent Living facility, specifically designed to support and accommodate young adults living with disabilities.
Cool Earth is another example of LandCorp’s Innovation through Demonstration projects, which aim to champion change and ground-breaking technologies.
Media Contact
Andrew Kikiros
(08) 9482 7448
*The trial is believed to be the first of its kind worldwide, as determined through research conducted by The University of Western Australia. A similar trial was conducted by Spitler et al. in Atlanta, Georgia, however this involved a ‘closed loop’ ground heat exchanger.
Related Projects
