Geography and Regional Planning

Geography and Regional Planning

Implementation and Field Evaluation of the Thermal Performance of Cast-in-Place Concrete Energy Piles in Iran’s Hot Semi-Arid Climate: A Case Study of Fardis County, Alborz Province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad Javadikhah 1
Mohammad Mehdi Ahmadi 2
1 M.Sc., Geotechnical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
2 Ph.D., Geotechnical Engineering, 2000, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
10.22034/jgeoq.2026.594083.4510
Abstract
Energy piles, as one of the emerging technologies in the field of renewable energy, integrate the structural performance of foundation piles with the heat exchange capability with the ground, offering an effective solution for providing heating and cooling of buildings and reducing energy consumption in the construction industry. The application of this technology not only reduces dependence on fossil fuels but also enhances energy efficiency, lowers operational costs, and decreases environmental pollutant emissions. Despite the growing use of energy piles in many countries worldwide, information regarding the performance of these systems under Iran's geological and climatic conditions remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to experimentally evaluate the thermal performance of full-scale energy piles, investigate the influence of design parameters on heat transfer rates, and propose an optimal configuration to enhance system efficiency under Iranian climatic conditions. In this research, a 16-meter-deep test borehole was constructed, and seven different energy pile configurations were designed and implemented by varying the arrangement and specifications of the heat exchanger tubes. The system performance was assessed under summer operation conditions (heat injection into the ground).
Keywords
Energy pile
Ground heat exchanger
Heat transfer
Renewable energy
Energy efficiency