Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage ATES

There are several hundreds of these systems in operation, with the Netherlands and Sweden as dominating countries of implementation. Practically all 

Paksoy (ed.), Thermal Energy Storage for Sustainable Energy Consumption, 155-176. 

In some countries the boreholes are grouted after the BHE installation, in others no backfill at all is being used. Instead the boreholes are naturally filled with groundwater. Using grout will normally decrease the thermal efficiency but on the other hand the groundwater will be protected. 

In the U-pipe a heat (or cold) carrier is circulated to store or discharge thermal energy into or out of the underground. The storing process is mainly 

These systems have been implemented in many countries with thousands of systems in operation. The numbers of plants are steadily growing and new countries are gradually starting to use these systems. They are typically applied for combined heating and cooling, normally supported with heat pumps for a better usage of the low temperature heat from the storage. 

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UTES encompasses both aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) and borehole thermal energy storage (BTES). 

Abstract. Newly established residential area in Vastra Hamnen (West Harbour) in the city of Malmo uses Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) as part of the district heating and cooling system. ATES system has 5 warm and 5 cold wells that are 70-80 m deep. Cold from the nearby sea (Oresund) and water cold from heat pump is stored from winter to summer. The purpose of the system is to deliver free cooling to district cooling system at a temperature level below +6-8 °C. Operational experiences and economic aspects are discussed. 

In ATES (Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage) systems groundwater is used to carry the thermal energy into and out of an aquifer. For the connection to the aquifer water wells are used. However, these wells are normally designed with double functions, both as production and infiltration wells, see Figure 29. 

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