A novel analytical approach for evaluating thermally active underground retaining walls

Abstract

Shallow geothermal energy is a promising renewable technology for sustainable indoor heating and cooling. One method to exploit this energy is through Energy Geostructures, where structural elements embedded in the ground are thermally activated via heat exchange pipes embedded within the structure. These structures function as a specialised form of ground heat exchanger, which can be integrated with ground source heat pump systems. Energy walls (EWs), a specific type of Energy Geostructure, are commonly used in basements, underground parking facilities, and metro stations. Despite their potential, there is currently no simple and reliable analytical method for the thermal analysis of EWs. Instead, their design relies on computationally expensive numerical simulations or oversimplified 'rules of thumb', both of which may lead to inefficiencies in cost and performance. This study presents a novel analytical approach based on the Infinite Plane Source (IPS) model and evaluates its accuracy by comparing it with two-dimensional numerical model data. The results demonstrate that the proposed method provides highly accurate estimates of temperatures at the back of the wall, making it a valuable foundation for future analytical design methodologies. The findings are applicable to EWs having an excavation on one side and ground on the other, as well as fully buried EWs with soil on both sides. This research offers a significant step toward the development of a practical, cost-effective analytical framework for the design and optimisation of EWs, promoting the broader adoption of shallow geothermal energy systems.