Optimizing Urban Heating: Integrating Geothermal Energy and Chemical Heat Pumps for Digital Twin Simulations

Chemical heat pump systems offer a promising avenue for harnessing geothermal energy and leveraging chemical reactions to release heat, thereby providing a viable, sustainable energy solution. Central to their success are thermal fluids, whose heat transfer properties and storage capabilities directly influence system performance. This chapter provides the first comprehensive evaluation of geothermal-chemical heat pump systems enhanced by Digital Twin technology, offering a deep understanding of operational mechanisms and the application of these systems. The systematic categorization of these systems includes both individual components and their integrated applications within a Digital Twin framework, highlighting the real-time data analysis and simulation capabilities that drive system optimizations. The significance of this chapter lies in its detailed meta-analysis, which reveals a surging interest in chemical heat pumps within geothermal energy, as evidenced by 409 publications. Despite this, there remains a need for more detailed research in numerous classifications. Fluorocarbons maintain their position with the highest COP values exceeding 4, while water stands out as the most cost-effective option, with a mere 0.12 USD per MJ and minimal environmental impact among thermal working fluids. The growing popularity of organic chemical heat pumps and nanofluids underscores the evolving landscape of thermal fluid choices. Discussions on selection criteria and performance ramifications of thermal fluids have been provided, focusing on diverse optimization methodologies aimed at bolstering system efficiency. By incorporating Digital Twin technology, this chapter identifies prevailing challenges and envisions prospects, thereby empowering the current landscape and providing a roadmap for further research and practical applications.