Aquifer thermal energy storage

Aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) is the storage and recovery of thermal energy in subsurface aquifers. ATES can heat and cool buildings. Storage and recovery is achieved by extraction and injection of groundwater using wells. Systems commonly operate in seasonal modes. Groundwater that is extracted in summer performs cooling by transferring heat from the building to the water by means of a heat exchanger. The heated groundwater is reinjected into the aquifer, which stores the heated water. In wintertime, the flow is reversed — heated groundwater is extracted (often fed to a heat pump).

An ATES system uses the aquifer to buffer seasonal reversals in heating and cooling demand. ATES can serve as a cost-effective technology to replace fossil fuel-dependent systems and associated CO2 emissions.

ATES can contribute significantly to emission reductions, as buildings consume some 40% of global energy, mainly for heating and cooling.[1] The number of ATES systems has increased dramatically, especially in Europe.[2] Belgium, Germany, Turkey, and Sweden are also increasing the application of ATES. ATES can be applied wherever the climatic conditions and geohydrological conditions are appropriate.[3] Optimisation of subsurface space requires attention in areas with suitable conditions.[4]

  1. ^ De Rosa, Mattia; Bianco, Vincenzo; Scarpa, Federico; Tagliafico, Luca A. (2014). "Heating and cooling building energy demand evaluation; a simplified model and a modified degree days approach". Applied Energy. 128: 217–229. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.04.067.
  2. ^ Godschalk, M.S.; Bakema, G. (2009). "20,000 ATES Systems in the Netherlands in 2020 – Major step towards a sustainable energy supply" (PDF). Proceedings Effstock. S2CID 110151280. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-13. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  3. ^ Bloemendal, M.; Olsthoorn, T.O.; van de Ven, F. (2015). "Combining climatic and geo-hydrological preconditions as a method to determine world potential for aquifer thermal energy storage". Science of the Total Environment. 538: 104–114. Bibcode:2015ScTEn.538..621B. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.07.084. PMID 26322727.
  4. ^ Bloemendal, M.; Olsthoorn, T.O.; Boons, F. (2014). "How to achieve optimal and sustainable use of the subsurface for Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage". Energy Policy. 66: 621. Bibcode:2014EnPol..66..104B. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2013.11.034.