GHP System Disciplines 07-06-2011

Responsibilities of Disciplines Involved in the Design, Installation, Commissioning, and Operation of Geothermal Heat Pump System

Note:  Some personnel may perform one or more of the following tasks.  For some projects, not all tasks will be needed.

Architect - design of overall project architectural considerations, including facility siting and use, aesthetics, regulatory compliance, etc.

GHP System Design Engineer - design and specification of the entire GHP system including both the ground heat exchanger or open loop well(s), and the balance of the GHP system; may subcontract appropriate tasks, for example:

• site evaluation to a qualified Site Evaluator
• design and specification of ground heat exchange to a qualified Ground Heat Transfer Designer
• design of open loop supply, return and standing column well(s), including physical location(s), to a qualified Water Well Designer, Return Well Designer, or Standing Column Well Designer.

Site Evaluator - investigation and evaluation of site environmental conditions, including one or more of the following:  safety, regulatory due diligence, hydrogeology, water quality, aquifer temperature change, injection well and/or surface water discharge requirements, and potential impacts to other groundwater and/or GHP system users.

Ground Thermal Conductivity/Diffusivity Tester / Analyst – closed loop only – determination and/or verification and analysis of thermal properties of geological formations from short term field tests of previously installed vertical ground heat exchangers, drilling logs, etc.

Ground Heat Transfer Designer - design of one or more types of ground heat transfer, including:

• closed loop only - ground-coupled heat exchangers (vertical borehole, horizontal excavation or directional drilling)
• closed loop only - surface water heat exchangers
• open loop only - ground water well and/or standing column well heat transfer

Vertical Borehole Driller – closed loop only – construction of borehole(s) for vertical ground-coupled heat exchangers

Horizontal Directional Driller – closed loop only – construction of directional drilling for ground-coupled heat exchangers

Trencher / Excavator – construction of GHP system trenching and/or excavation

Loop Installer / Grouter – closed loop only – installation of one or more types of heat exchangers, including ground-coupled heat exchangers (vertical or horizontal), surface water heat exchangers, etc., as well as system integrity testing, flushing & purging, flow and balance testing

Water Well Designer – open loop only - design of production well(s) and wellfield operation, including well location(s), water quality and flow requirements for the GHP system.

Return (Recharge) Well Designer – open loop only - design of return (recharge) well(s) and the return well operation, including the evaluation of the potential for the precipitation of dissolved minerals and the deterioration of the recharge capacity over time.

Standing Column Well Designer – open loop only - design of standing column well(s) and wellfields, including water quality and flow requirements for the GHP system, and the potential use of bleed water to enhance performance.

Water Well Driller – open loop only - construction, development, completion and protection of physical water supply well, return well and/or standing column well.

Water Well Pump Installer – open loop only - sizing, installation, service, and repair of water well pumping systems and related GHP equipment.

Pipe / Tubing Technician - construction of approved pipe and connections (joints/headers/manifolds, etc.) to designated termination point (building wall, mechanical room, or flow center, etc.)

• HDPE pipe fusion technician – construction of HDPE pipe fusion connections
• PEX pipe joint technician – construction of PEX pipe connections
• Copper pipe technician – construction of copper pipe connections (DX systems)
• Other pipe / tubing technologies

Mechanical System Installer - installation of interior GHP system, including heat pump equipment, pump system, forced air and/or water distribution systems, and associated control systems.

GHP System Commissioning Agent - verification of GHP system installation, functionality, and capability of being operated and maintained to perform in conformity with applicable regulations and contract specifications, in addition to the system design intent.

GHP System Operation and Maintenance Personnel - troubleshooting problems of GHP systems, repair or replacement of malfunctioned components, accomplishment of routine maintenance to keep GHP systems operating within design specifications.

GHP System Regulator – adoption and enforcement of regulations governing design, installation, operation and maintenance of GHP systems.

GHP System Trainer – delivery of training programs covering design, installation, operation and maintenance of GHP systems.