Exergy analysis method was used to analyze the couple of ground source heat pump-passive double effect tower model. On the basis of the traditional exergy analysis method, the concept, calculation formula and calculation method of time misplaced exergy was put forward to accurately describe the energy utilization of the heat storage and release equipment at different times. Relevant experimental data about the coupled system operating parameters were obtained from 2017 (summer) to 2019 (winter). From 2017 (summer) to 2019 (summer), the variation of traditional exergy was 1.49,-1.81 and -1.20 kJ.kg(-1) air respectively. In contrast, the time misplaced exergy changes from 2017 (summer) to 2019 (winter) was 2.18, 2.48 and 2.47 kJ.kg(air)(-1), respectively. The results showed that it can be caused misjudgment of energy in coupled system by using traditional exergy analysis method when heat storage and release at different time, while time misplaced exergy could evaluate system energy more accurately. Time misplaced exergy theory proposed in this study provides guidance for analyzing the energy uti-lization and energy saving potential of systems when heat storage and release at different time. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.