The article gives an overview of the use of low-temperature geothermal energy sources for heat and cold supply of buildings in areas of Western Siberia. The experience of using geothermal heat pumps shows their economic efficiency and environmental friendliness. An innovative application of the low-temperature energy of the shallow subsurface soil layers is the double use of the underground foundation of a building or another structure as energy active elements of the heat-pumping system. The paper analyzes the problems why green technologies are not developing as dynamically as indicated in the Energy Program of Russia and barriers that prevent the wider use of heat pumps and systems in the heat and cold supply of buildings in the Siberian region. These include considerable regulatory and investment barriers, as well as lack of awareness about renewable energy and energy efficiency. Further, market entry remains challenging in Russia that has not fully liberalised its energy market. Furthermore, entrenched interests in conventional energy resources represent a significant barrier to effective legislation and policy implementation. Thus, huge conventional resources of oil, gas and coal in Siberia region, neighboring to Novosibirsk, Omsk and Altay districts are other obstacles to the introduction of renewable green technologies. Some examples on the limitation of barriers to geothermal heat pumps systems application in building construction are given.

Low-temperature geothermal resources are widely distributed in the sedimentary cover of Western Siberia. In the southern part of the region the aquifer of the Pokur formation (K1-2), with temperatures up to 47° C at well heads, has the best prospects for direct heating. The energy extracted from this kind of geothermal resources must be used near the reservoir, that’s why collocation of the resource and a user is required. A new approach to the issue of using this energy potential is integrated use of existing water wells, drilled for domestic and drinking purposes, for heating of premises (including hot water supply) and water supply at rural communities in the south of Western Siberia. The research was aimed at the estimation of effectiveness of ground-source heat pump (GSHP) systems for extraction of energy from low-temperature groundwater, and their use for space heating of commercial buildings under the climatic conditions of the region. The computations were made by using NIBE AB (Sweden) software. It states that GSHP systems are very competitive with coal boilers, mostly used for hot water supply and space heating at domestic communities. The use of GSHP systems will also improve the ecological situation in the region.