Challenges of Geothermal Energy Pile Application for Tropical Climates

There has been a growing global interest in geothermal energy piles as a promising technology for sustainable heating and cooling of buildings in various climates. However, there seems to be limited adoption of this technology in tropical climates. Geothermal energy piles, through the utilization of piles as ground heat exchangers, provide a reliable and efficient geothermal energy extraction for the purpose of heating as well as cooling. However, in climates where cooling dominates, there is an imbalance in heat extraction and injection, with heat injection into the ground prevailing throughout the year. This imbalance results in a rise in soil temperature over time, which must be considered during the design phase. This paper seeks to highlight the obstacles associated with implementing geothermal energy piles in nations with tropical climates, such as Malaysia. Decrease in system efficiency over time arising from unbalanced energy demand, long payback period and lack of adequate incentives etc. have been identified as some of the leading obstacles among others.