MPC-. GT · Project

Smart Predictive Control That Cuts Building Heating and Cooling Costs Using Geothermal Energy

energyTestedTRL 6

Imagine your building could predict tomorrow's weather and automatically decide whether to pull warmth from underground or switch on a backup heater — all without anyone touching a thermostat. That's what this project built: a smart brain for buildings that combine geothermal heat pumps with radiant floor and ceiling systems. The trick is splitting the work between a slow, cheap geothermal "base load" and a quick secondary system that handles peaks, so the building stays comfortable while using as little high-grade energy as possible. The team also created generic design rules so engineers don't have to run expensive custom simulations for every new building.

By the numbers

consortium partners across multiple sectors

countries represented in the consortium

industry partners involved in development

65%

industry ratio in the consortium

total project deliverables produced

SMEs in the consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Most large buildings waste energy because their heating and cooling systems react to temperature changes instead of anticipating them. Geothermal heat pumps paired with radiant floor/ceiling systems (TABS) are efficient but slow to respond, so engineers often oversize backup systems or run expensive custom simulations for every building. Building owners end up paying more for energy and engineering than they should.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered a Model Predictive Control (MPC) system that anticipates building energy needs and splits loads between geothermal and secondary systems, plus generic design rules that eliminate case-by-case simulation. A dedicated MPC implementation demo for hybrid GEOTABS buildings was produced, along with 34 total deliverables covering the full design-to-control pipeline.

Audience

Who needs this

Commercial property developers building or retrofitting large office complexesHVAC system integrators looking to offer geothermal solutions without custom engineeringEnergy service companies (ESCOs) guaranteeing building energy performanceFacility managers of university campuses, hospitals, or public buildings with high energy billsBuilding automation companies wanting to add predictive geothermal control to their product line

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Commercial Real Estate

enterprise

Target: Property developers and building owners managing large office or mixed-use complexes

If you are a commercial property developer dealing with rising energy costs and tenant comfort complaints — this project developed a predictive control system for geothermal building systems that automatically splits heating and cooling loads between a low-cost geothermal base and a fast-response secondary system. The generic design rules eliminate the need for expensive case-by-case simulation, cutting both engineering time and operational energy costs. The consortium tested this with 17 partners across 10 countries, including 11 industry players.

HVAC System Integration

SME

Target: HVAC installers and system integrators specializing in low-energy buildings

If you are an HVAC integrator struggling to design and commission geothermal systems efficiently — this project created a white-box Model Predictive Control approach with precomputed inputs that avoids case-by-case controller development. This means you can deploy smart geothermal control without hiring a controls PhD for every project. The solution was validated through a dedicated MPC implementation demo for hybrid GEOTABS buildings.

District Energy and Utilities

mid-size

Target: Energy service companies (ESCOs) and district heating/cooling operators

If you are an energy service company looking to expand into low-grade thermal energy — this project developed an integrated design strategy that maximizes the share of low-temperature energy sources like geothermal. The predictive controller optimizes when to use cheap underground heat versus supplementary systems, making performance guarantees easier to offer. With 3 SMEs and 11 industry partners in the consortium, the solution was shaped by real market needs.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to implement this MPC system in an existing building?

The project data does not include specific implementation costs. However, the core value proposition is reducing engineering costs through generic design rules that eliminate case-by-case simulation work, and reducing operating costs by optimizing geothermal versus secondary system usage. Contact the coordinator for pricing of the MPC toolchain.

Can this scale to large commercial or campus buildings?

Yes. The system was designed for hybrid GEOTABS buildings, which typically include large commercial, office, and institutional buildings with radiant heating/cooling systems. The consortium of 17 partners across 10 countries tested the approach across different building types and climates. The generic rules were specifically developed to avoid per-building customization.

What is the IP situation — can I license this technology?

The project was a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) coordinated by Universiteit Gent. IP from EU-funded RIA projects typically remains with the consortium partners who generated it. With 11 industry partners involved, licensing or collaboration agreements would need to be negotiated with the relevant consortium member. Contact the coordinator for specifics.

Does this comply with current EU energy performance regulations?

The project directly addresses EU energy efficiency goals under the EE-04-2016-2017 topic. The system increases the share of low-grade renewable energy in buildings, which aligns with the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and nearly-zero energy building requirements. Based on available project data, regulatory compliance was a design consideration.

How long does it take to deploy in a building?

Based on available project data, the MPC system uses precomputed model inputs for disturbances and HVAC thermal power, which significantly reduces deployment time compared to custom controller development. The generic design rules also cut the upfront engineering phase. Specific timelines depend on building complexity and existing HVAC infrastructure.

Can this integrate with my existing building management system?

The white-box MPC approach was designed to work with standard HVAC components — geothermal heat pumps and thermally activated building systems. The project produced 34 deliverables including an MPC implementation demo, suggesting integration documentation exists. Contact the consortium for compatibility details with specific BMS platforms.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a strong, industry-heavy consortium with 17 partners from 10 countries — a genuinely pan-European effort. The 65% industry ratio (11 out of 17 partners) is well above average for research projects, meaning the technology was shaped by companies who actually install and operate these systems. The 4 universities (led by Universiteit Gent) provided the research backbone, while 3 SMEs ensured the solution fits smaller players in the HVAC market. The geographic spread across Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK covers diverse climate zones, which matters for a geothermal heating/cooling system that must perform across different conditions.

UNIVERSITEIT GENTCoordinator · BE
UNIVERSITEIT MAASTRICHTparticipant · NL
UPONOR OYJparticipant · FI
FEDERATIE VAN VERENIGINGEN VOOR VERWARMING EN LUCHTBEHANDELING IN EUROPA REHVAparticipant · BE
DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITETparticipant · DK
VIESSMANN WERKE GMBH & CO KGparticipant · DE
KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVENparticipant · BE

How to reach the team

Universiteit Gent, Belgium — reach out to the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, which leads building energy research

Order a report on this consortium See UNIVERSITEIT GENT profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the MPC-GT team to explore licensing or implementation? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction and provide a detailed technology brief tailored to your building portfolio.

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