From static to adaptive: A virtual testing framework for continuous commissioning and performance optimization of ground source heat pump systems

Traditional commissioning, conducted at system handover, often fails to identify and address operational inefficiencies in ground-source heat pump (GSHP) systems over time. This study proposes a model-based adaptive commissioning framework that combines physics-based modeling and simulation with continuous performance monitoring to detect and address system deficiencies. This method is applied to a GSHP system that is not performing well: the system had an annual average coefficient of performance (COP) of only 2.37, with 74% of its operating time below 50% load capacity. A high-fidelity Modelica- based model is developed to enable virtual testing of operational strategies, allowing assessment of possible improvements in system performance without disrupting building operations. Results show that changing from the original dual-unit operation to a single-unit operation with timely preheating can reduce energy use by 16% while keeping indoor thermal comfort. The heat pump COP can also rise to 4.39. The proposed model-based approach transforms commissioning from a one-time verification into an adaptive process, achieving £965.9 in cost savings over 14 days through control optimization without hardware modifications.