FAQ
Do you have any questions about GHEtool? Please have a look first at our frequently asked questions below.
What is GHEtool Cloud?
GHEtool Cloud is the first comprehensive cloud-based borefield sizing tool, created so you can have confidence in your geothermal designs. With our innovative methodologies, we are the perfect tool for drilling companies who want to size a borefield for a single family, to an engineering firm, working on a complex geothermal master plan.
Get to know more
Read our frequently asked questions
Yes, we give every new user a free, 14-day all access trial period so you can explore all the features of GHEtool Cloud for yourself. No credit card is required, just go over to the GHEtool Cloud register page to register you as a user.
In order to get the most out of your trial period, we suggest to schedule a free 30 minute demo call where we can show you the different methods and what value they can bring for you. You can schedule a date here.
Although there are a lot of similarities between GHEtool Cloud and Earth Energy Designer, there are some major differences.
- GHEtool Cloud is 100% cloud-based, meaning it works on every platform, super fast. Whether you have Windows, Mac Os or Linux, you can use GHEtool for your project!
- GHEtool Cloud is based on an open-source core, meaning that all of its models and assumptions are transparent.
- GHEtool Cloud is scenario based, so different design options can be easily compared.
- GHEtool Cloud goes further than just borefield sizing, it also include the combination of active and passive cooling, pressure drop calculation, load optimization functionalities etc.
- GHEtool Cloud has an automated report functionality so all your calculations can be exported with a single press of a button, saving you hours in reporting for one project.
We have also written an entire article on this subject! You can find it here.
We believe that with the current energy crisis, we need to move fast. The best way to do this is to be transparent with the models and assumptions we use and by making the core of our tool open-source. In this way, new geothermal models, new methodologies and other innovations, can be implemented faster and be spread to the public as soon as they are developed. An open-source backbone of GHEtool Cloud ensures that we are always working with the newest models and insights, thereby driving the energy transition in geothermal space.
Borefield sizing involves numerous assumptions and estimations, which lead to uncertainties. GHEtool, while extensively tested with over 350 tests for each new version and backed by a comprehensive list of academic papers that have utilized or contributed to it, cannot eliminate this uncertainty entirely. The accuracy of your results primarily hinges on the inputs you provide, with the two most critical and sensitive assumptions being load estimation and borefield design parameters. Under identical input parameters, GHEtool yields results that are generally comparable to those of other sizing tools, with discrepancies primarily arising from different model assumptions.
With GHEtool we want to empower students with an interest in geothermal energy. Also professors or teachers who want to use GHEtool Cloud in their lectures can get in touch with us. We are always willing to share our information and resources for educational purposes. If you need GHEtool Cloud for a (project at) school or university, please contact us and we will give you all the information for a free, student license of GHEtool Cloud.
Since GHEtool Cloud is updated so regularly, we have chosen to write a strict user manual, but to include all the hints you need inside the platform itself! Behind every button or text field, there is a short explanation hidden for you waiting to be found!
For more general topics on geothermal design, our methodologies or tutorials, we have developed a knowledge base. This article based approach, to which you can subscribe via our newsletter, is more suited for the innovative nature of GHEtool Cloud.
Currently, both our tool and automated reporting is available in English, German and Dutch. Since the specific lexicon of the geothermal domain differs between languages, it is hard for non-native speakers to correctly translate our tool to each language. So, if you are interested in having GHEtool Cloud available in your language and you are willing to help us translate it, let us know via: info@ghetool.eu! (We will offer you a discount for you help!)
We're glad you asked!
We are the first to (use AI to) write a couple of songs on the topic of typical geothermal challenges: dealing with imbalance, combining active and passive cooling, choosing between ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps and making tons of reports.
Head over to youtube and enjoy our playlist!
Ready to explore all possibilities of GHEtool Cloud?
You can try GHEtool 14 days for free, no credit card required.