| Title | Case Study of Seasonal and Diurnal Borehole Thermal Energy Storage |
|---|---|
| Authors | Matthew Minnick, Haiyan Zhou, Kevin Kitz, Dan Hoyer |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | A Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) system functions like a thermal battery, preheating or precooling the ground to later provide heating or cooling for buildings. BTES is becoming increasingly popular worldwide due to its versatility across different climates, its ability to minimize surface area usage, and its efficient seasonal energy storage capabilities. However, the capital cost of installing a BTES system remains a significant barrier to its widespread implementation. In this study, we proposed a modular BTES layout designed to better accommodate the growing capacity requirements of the thermal network. In the new layout, each independent module consists of multiple boreholes, each with a specified heating/cooling capacity. These modules can operate simultaneously to meet fluctuating energy demands, allowing for easy expansion of the BTES system as needed. To maximize the effectiveness of BTES in meeting peak demand and improve system efficiency, it is integrated with Grid Amplified Building Energy Seasonal Storage (GABESS), in which the ASHP supplies warm or cold water during off-peak hours to heat or cool the BTES. Later, the WSHP extracts the stored heat or cold from the BTES to provide heating or cooling to the buildings within the thermal network. The feasibility of the proposed system is tested at Joint Base Andrews (JBA), where the heating demand from 21 buildings reaches 11,000 kW. The BTES operating scheme is thoroughly tested using the GABESS technique and numerical simulation to effectively meet the energy demands at JBA. |