| Abstract |
Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) is considered one of the most favourable technologies for thermal energy storage in the Netherlands to solve the seasonal mismatch between sustainable energy supply and heat demand. In contrast to low temperature systems (<25°C), of which there are > 2500 operational in the country, only few medium (~25-60°C) and high (>60°C) temperature systems are, or have been operational. Increased storage temperatures have the benefit that less electricity is required by the heat pumps in winter to achieve the required temperature for heating of houses, offices or greenhouses, thereby reducing net congestion issues. This contribution summarizes the state-of-the-art of operational performance and environmental impacts from recent Dutch research and demo projects on MT- and HT- ATES systems. It includes field data from test drillings and from extensive monitoring at the only operational HT-ATES system in the world, located in Middenmeer and connects to the ongoing ACCEL-UTES project which aims at constructing a HT-ATES facility at the Utrecht University Campus, among various others. The geological potential for HT-ATES is presented based on key system criteria, and a calculation tool utilizing a 3D thermal simulator and an economic model for the generation of national quantitative potential maps is presented. The latest insights on well design, maximum flow rates (crucial input for the business case), operational challenges, system performance and environmental (thermal, chemical and microbial) impacts are discussed. These insights support operators in decision making, allow evidence based regulatory framework development, and contribute to enhanced adoption of HT-ATES. |