Volume 63

Dynamic Assessment of a PVT-GSHP System for Demand-Side Decarbonisation in Residential Buildings Arslan Saleem, Carlos E. Ugalde-Loo, Muditha Abeysekera

Abstract

Decarbonisation of heat in residential buildings remains a critical challenge in achieving net-zero energy goals. This paper presents a dynamic simulation and performance evaluation of a hybrid energy system integrating photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar collectors with a ground-source heat pump (GSHP) to meet the space heating demand of a terraced house. The system was modelled using TRNSYS, enabling detailed hourly performance analysis under varying weather and load conditions. Borehole heat exchangers, thermal energy storage and the control logic are explicitly modelled to reflect realistic operational behaviour. Results show the system’s ability to deliver demand-side flexibility, reduce grid dependency and enhance seasonal performance. The coupled PVT-GSHP system achieves a stable coefficient of performance while maintaining acceptable indoor thermal comfort. This study contributes to the growing evidence supporting hybrid low-carbon technologies for residential heating solutions.

Keywords Renewable energy resources, ground-source heat pump, photovoltaic thermal systems, demand-side flexibility, dynamic modelling, TRNSYS