5 min read

How Onsen Energy Fits into the GSHP Supply Chain: Drilling Expertise That De-Risks Delivery

Published on

11 Jan 2022

Installing a ground source heat pump (GSHP) system is a multi-stage process involving consultants, system designers, heat pump manufacturers, M&E contractors, and drilling specialists. The performance of the system - and the success of the project- depends on how well these partners work together.

Onsen Energy brings deep expertise to one of the most critical stages of that chain: borehole drilling and ground loop installation. But our role doesn’t begin and end with a drill rig. We’re involved in de-risking GSHP projects from initial feasibility to final performance, working closely with clients and delivery teams to help systems perform safely, efficiently, and as specified.

Here’s how our work fits into the supply chain: and how it strengthens it at every turn.

1. Early Insight and Thermal Response Testing

A successful GSHP system starts with the ground. Before designs are finalised or drilling schedules agreed, we support consultants and designers with feasibility insight and Thermal Response Testing (TRT). TRT helps quantify the thermal conductivity of the geology, enabling more accurate system sizing and better energy yield predictions.

Getting this right early prevents missteps downstream - avoiding both overspecification (which drives up cost) and underspecification (which risks underperformance). Our drilling knowledge feeds into front-end system design, helping the whole supply chain start from solid ground.

2. Clear Interfaces with System Designers and M&E Teams

We regularly collaborate with heat pump manufacturers like Kensa, design partners such as Genius Energy Lab, and trusted M&E installers to deliver seamless GSHP projects. We understand what information those partners need - from borehole array layouts to headerwork planning - and work proactively to coordinate timing, logistics, and site access.

Whether we're drilling as part of a shared ground loop array on a net-zero housing development, or contributing to an energy overhaul for a school or heritage site, we tailor our service to fit with the broader delivery team.

3. Flexible, Low-Risk Drilling Delivery

Our core service - borehole drilling—is engineered around risk reduction.

That includes:

Specialist survey and access planning, to work safely and efficiently even on tight or sensitive sites.
Mud management and processing units, to keep sites clean and avoid damage to landscapes.
Protective ground mats, to prevent rig movement from disrupting school fields or landscaped plots.
Real-time adaptability, to adjust to unexpected ground conditions without delays or cost escalation

We’ve delivered more than 18,000m of boreholes on a single site, but we also excel at shallow, small-scale projects with tight site constraints. In all cases, the goal is the same: get it done right, with no surprises.

4. Protecting Programme, Budget, and Performance

Groundworks are often on the critical path in GSHP installations. If drilling overruns or complications arise, the whole timeline is at risk. That’s why we focus relentlessly on reliable delivery: setting realistic expectations and hitting every milestone.

We delivered a school decarbonisation project four weeks ahead of schedule, thanks to proactive planning and precision on site. We also design our work to support long-term performance, ensuring loops are installed and grouted to full target depths, and configured for easy integration with the plant room.

The result? Heat pumps perform as expected. Carbon savings are banked. Everyone on the team wins.

5. A Partner You Can Trust in a Growing Market

The GSHP sector is scaling fast and not every contractor has the skills or experience to deliver to high standards. At Onsen, we’re proud to invest in our people, training new drillers to NVQ standards, securing industry certifications like MCS, and operating with a long-term mindset.

We also act as a sounding board for design queries, buildability issues, or regulatory questions. As drilling specialists with real-world project context, we add value beyond our scope of work.

Drilling Confidence Into Every Project

Every successful GSHP system is the result of many hands working in sync. At Onsen Energy, we specialise in making one of the most technically challenging stages - borehole drilling - dependable, safe, and able to deliver the most efficient form of heating and cooling for the end-user.

We fit into the GSHP supply chain with clarity, competence, and collaboration. And we make it easier for developers, consultants, and contractors to deliver low-carbon heating that lives up to its promise.

If you’re planning a GSHP project and want to partner with a drilling team that knows how to de-risk delivery from the ground up, get in touch.