US soil - gas-based ground source heat pump technology promotion in China (2)
October 02 03:00:32, 2025
Welcome to the United States soil-gas ground source heat pump demonstration project. After careful selection and comprehensive testing, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the U.S. Department of Energy have chosen three units, including the Beijing Municipal Bureau of New Energy Technology Development Company, to lead the development and promotion of geothermal heat pump technology. With strong support from the Chinese government and active assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, three demonstration projects were successfully completed in the first half of 2001 and began trial operations.
The three U.S.-sponsored soil-gas ground source heat pump demonstration projects are as follows:
3.1 Northern China Winter Cold Climate Zone Ground Source Heat Pump Demonstration Project
Project Name: Beijing Jia Heyuan International Apartment Ground Source Heat Pump Demonstration
Location: Xiaoyun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Promotion Unit: Beijing Branch of Energy New Technology Development Company
Developer: Beijing Fuyang Property Development Co., Ltd.
Installation Completed: December 2000
Overview:
- Building Type: High-end apartment complex
- Structure: Three tower buildings with 30–32 floors each, featuring a lobby, public areas, equipment floors, and underground parking.
- Total Construction Area: 88,000 square meters
- Heating and Air Conditioning Area: 70,000 square meters
- Heat Exchange Capacity: 1,300 tons of cooling
- Heat Pump Type: Groundwater-based ground source heat pump
- Number of Units: 501
- Manufacturer: Trane (U.S.)
- Deep Wells: 4 (2 for pumping, 2 for irrigation)
- Well Depth: 160 meters
- Water Flow: 200 tons/hour
- Noise Control: Soundproof rooms, insulated doors, and sound-absorbing materials used to maintain noise levels below 30 dB(A)
Cost Analysis:
Compared to traditional central air conditioning systems, the ground source heat pump system reduced total investment by 1.5%, annual operating costs by 43.6%, and occupancy costs by 50%. The average initial investment was about 360 yuan per square meter.
Beijing heating cost comparison shows that the geothermal pump system is significantly more cost-effective than other methods, with an estimated cost of only 12.9 yuan per square meter per heating season.
3.2 Central China Summer Humid, Winter Cold Climate Zone Geothermal Pump Demonstration Project
Project Name: Ningbo Younger Industrial City Ground Source Heat Pump Demonstration
Location: Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
Features: Cooling and heating for Yu Dong Building
Total Construction Area: 92,505 square meters
Cooling Load: 2,483 tons
System Type: Groundwater-based ground source heat pump
Budget: 25 million yuan, including $1.34 million in imported equipment
Technology Promotion Unit: Shanghai Dingda Energy New Technology Development Co., Ltd.
Progress: First phase (38,380 sqm) completed in May 2001, second phase ongoing.
3.3 South China Subtropical Climate Zone Geothermal Pump Demonstration Project
Project Name: Guangzhou Matsuda Institute of Technology Ground Source Heat Pump Demonstration
Location: Zengcheng District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
Building Type: Teaching and Office Buildings
Features: Mainly refrigeration, with heating as backup
Total Construction Area: 52,000 square meters
Cooling Load: 2,045 tons
System Type: Horizontal pipeline plus groundwater-based ground source heat pump
Budget: 14.74 million yuan, including $1,262,558 in imported equipment
Technology Promotion Unit: Guangzhou Lida Heat Pump Technology Co., Ltd.
Manufacturer: Florida Heat Pump Environmental Equipment Company (U.S.)
First Phase Installation: October 2000
Test Results:
In a voice lab, the system rapidly cooled the room from 30°C to 23.6°C within 30 minutes, maintaining stable temperature with minimal fluctuation.
All three U.S.-supported geothermal pump projects have been completed, except for the Beijing project, which has already started operations. The other two are in their first phase, with further construction planned for next year.
4. Next Steps
The completion of these three U.S.-sponsored geothermal pump projects has attracted significant attention both domestically and internationally. The Beijing project, one of the most technologically advanced in the world, has raised awareness of U.S. ground source heat pump technology. The three promotion units have now entered the implementation phase.
4.1 Comprehensive Data Collection and Economic Analysis
Beijing Branch of New Energy Technology Development Corporation, with support from relevant departments, has begun data collection and economic analysis of the geothermal pump project. Data will be collected over a full year, covering investment, operating costs, performance, and technical parameters. This will provide a scientific basis for future large-scale adoption of the technology in China.
4.2 Market Expansion and Project Development
With increased efforts to reduce pollution and limit coal heating, there is growing demand for clean energy solutions like geothermal pumps. Compared to natural gas, they offer lower operating costs and greater efficiency. Urban green spaces also provide better conditions for soil-gas heat pump systems. Several new projects are currently in planning, spanning from Heilongjiang to Guangdong, and from Shanghai to Xinjiang.
4.3 International Cooperation and Joint Production
International agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy, continue to support the promotion of this technology. Training programs and technical exchanges are expanding. A joint production plant is expected to start operations by the end of the year, signaling the beginning of large-scale adoption of U.S. soil-gas ground source heat pump technology in China.