Geothermal heat pumps in Vilnius
Overview
In the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, a new zero-emission building has been completed in 2024 equipped with a geothermal heating system and solar modules on its roof for electricity generation. The BOD Group’s innovation centre accommodates offices, research facilities, a medical and other laboratories. In addition, medical clinics for the neighbourhood will be set up in the building. Because of the building’s renewables based heating and cooling system and its high energy efficiency, the operating costs are expected to be very low.
“This building is entirely independent from the city’s central heating system. It can be heated and cooled solely using geothermal heating and solar power. The building solely requires an electricity supply to perform its production functions.”
With this innovative combination of geothermal and solar, the complex can secure all necessary energy for heating, cooling and even for production processes from on-site renewable sources throughout most of the year. The heating is provided by 80 geothermal wells dug to a depth of 130 m and four efficient, new generation heat pumps which can produce 4.5-5 kWh of heat from 1 kWh of electricity. The heat pumps are powered by renewable electricity coming directly from the rooftop solar panels. This makes the innovation centre one of the first buildings in Lithuania that emit no CO2.
Summary
Zero emission building
Borehole depth: 130 m
Number of boreholes: 80
Heat pumps: 4 x 720 kW
COP: heating 4.5-5