Investigation of the Potential and Thermal Performance of a Proposed Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage System at Ropar, India

Abstract

The storage of excess thermal energy in subsurface has become a very popular application of shallow geothermal energy in many countries. Aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) is an open system which uses subsurface porous media to store seasonal thermal energy for long-term. As an economical, environment friendly, easy to operate and maintain system, ATES has gained huge popularity in recent times. A three-dimensional coupled thermo-hydrogeological model of a potential ATES system in Ropar, India is presented in the present study. Thermal and hydrogeological data of the aquifer planned to be used for the ATES system, is used for modeling of thermal performance of the system here. The model includes the heat transport processes of advection, conduction and heat-loss to the adjacent layers. Layered heterogeneity and anisotropy of the aquifer is also taken into account in the model. Based on the thermal modeling, recovery efficiency and thermal performance in terms of energy output from the ATES system are estimated. The thermal modeling of the aquifer thermal energy storage system presented here gives a preliminary idea for the proposed experimental ATES system at Ropar.