Context

Geothermal systems are playing an increasingly important role in ongoing worldwide efforts to develop environmentally friendly, sustainable, and efficient ways of fulfilling space heating and cooling demands. Promising approaches in this regard are based on ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs) and borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) systems coupled to vertical geothermal boreholes. Designing of GSHPs and BTES is facilitated by accurate predictions of the working-fluid and ground temperatures, and the associated heat extraction and injection rates, during their operation. The techniques used for such predictions are often based on mathematical models that invoke the assumption of purely conductive heat transfer in the ground that surrounds the boreholes. However, ground thermal properties can see significant variations in space, and heat transfer often involves non-conductive heat transfer processes, such as groundwater movement. These effects influence the energy performance of GSHPs and BTES, and need to be properly accounted for in their design and simulation.

A Ph.D. candidate will develop advanced methods for the simulation and design of geothermal systems. The outcomes of the project will be scalable simulation tools that will enable to study the influence of complex ground conditions on the efficiency of geothermal systems, and thereby to improve their design and operation.

Qualifications

Experience and skills in the following fields are major assets: thermodynamics (refrigeration) & heat transfer, simulation of building energy systems, object-oriented programming. Proficiency in English (written and oral) is essential.

Application

Applications should include: (1) curriculum vitae, (2) academic transcripts, (3) letter of motivation and (4) sample of a technical text written in English. Applications should be sent to:

Prof. Massimo Cimmino ( [email protected] )