Energy efficiency optimization analysis of a ground source heat pump system based on neural networks and genetic algorithms

Abstract This paper reports on the performance of a ground source heat pump (GSHP) system located in Shandong Province, China. The system operation data were monitored and collected by a data collection system. According to the analysis of the accumulated operational data, it was found that the GSHP system showed a relative higher COP in cooling season of 2023 than that of 2022 due to the change of supplying water temperature at ground-source side. Based on the analyzed data, a BP neural network model for energy consumption prediction was established. Furthermore, genetic algorithm (GA) was used to optimize the control strategy on the basis of the energy consumption prediction model. Comparison between the artificial experience control strategy and the one optimized by the genetic algorithm was conducted. The results show that the optimization strategy of the genetic algorithm is superior in terms of energy saving, particularly in the load rate higher than 50%, in which, the average energy-saving rate reaches 39.66%. Within the load rate range of 30–50%, the energy-saving rate could also reach 7.84%.