Heating a Residential Building Using Thermally Activated Building Systems (TABS) and Partial Earth-Burial - A Case Study

The most significant amount of electrical energy is obtained by burning fossil fuels, which release substantial amounts of harmful gases, that contribute to environmental degradation. Because the most crucial part of the energy produced is used during the construction and operation of buildings, it is necessary to build buildings that can provide the energy needed for heating and cooling through renewable energy sources. Geothermal energy is the clean energy source with the most significant potential for solving this problem. However, the thermal capacity of energy forms and exploitation systems have not yet been sufficiently researched, significantly limiting their application. This paper presents two geothermal energy systems for heating buildings: the passive system, which is burying objects, and the active system, which is the thermally activated building system (TABS). The work aims to highlight the significance and potential of geothermal energy, which can achieve energy independence for the facility. Through a case study of a residential building, based on software simulations conducted in the EnergyPlus program, it has been determined that the total consumption of thermal energy needed for heating is 26,43 kWh/m². The findings demonstrate that applying the passive and active geothermal strategies can achieve significant energy savings required for heating buildings, thereby mitigating environmental impact. The obtained results will allow for the assessment of the expected impacts of climate change on building energy performance and the adaptation of both passive and active strategies, such as TABS systems and geothermal regulation, to future conditions.