Shallow rock and soil energy storage combined with shallow geothermal energy—sustainable low temperature source of ground source heat pumps

There are divergences in the understanding of the low temperature heat source for the ground source heat pump system (GSHP), and resource utilization of the shallow geothermal energy is becoming a trend. Reviews the recognition process of the low temperature heat source of GSHP, combined with the actual development situation of GSHP in China, puts forward that the shallow rock and soil energy storage combined with the shallow geothermal energy would be the sustainable low temperature source for GSHP. The research and development of GSHP should be in the framework of the shallow rock and soil energy storage. The quantity of heat storage in summer should be decided according to the demand of heat supply in winter and the local geologic structure. Moreover, advanced techniques should be used to ensure heat storage.