Comparative Analysis of on-site Traditional and Fiber Optics-Based Thermal Response Test for underground heat exchangers: test site on UNIPD Ground source heat pump system

This thesis presents a comparative evaluation between traditional Thermal Response Testing (TRT) and emerging Fiber Optics-Based TRT techniques for assessing ground thermal properties at the UNIPD building's ground source heat pump system pilot site. While traditional TRT provides mean equivalent temperature and thermal conductivity data into borehole, Fiber Optics-Based TRT offers continuous monitoring with distributed temperature sensing and thermal conductivity distribution along fiber optic cables inserted into the heat exchanger borehole. Through practical experimentation and analysis, this study aims to determine the efficiency, accuracy, cost-effectiveness and time requirements of both methods, considering also the groundwater role in heat transfer processes, providing valuable insights for optimizing ground source heat pump systems and enhancing sustainability in building operations.