HEATSTORE Project Update: High Temperature Underground Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract

Thermal energy storage technologies need to be further developed and need to become an integral component in the future energy system infrastructure to meet variations in both the availability and demand of energy. The main objectives of project HEATSTORE are to lower the cost, reduce risks, improve the performance of high temperature (~25°C to ~90°C) underground thermal energy storage (HT-UTES) technologies and to optimize heat network demand side management (DSM). This is primarily achieved by 6 new demonstration pilots (see table) and 8 case studies of existing systems with distinct configurations of heat sources, heat storage and heat utilization. It will advance the commercial viability of HT-UTES technologies and, through an optimized balance between supply, transport, storage and demand, enable geothermal energy production to reach its maximum deployment potential in the European energy transition. HEATSTORE is a project under the GEOTHERMICA – ERA NET Cofund and contributes to achieving the several objectives of accelerating the uptake of geothermal energy by 1) advancing and integrating different types of underground thermal energy storage (UTES) in the energy system, 2) providing a means to maximize geothermal heat production and optimize the business case of geothermal heat production doublets, 3) addressing technical, economic, market, environmental, regulatory and policy aspects that are necessary to support efficient and cost-effective deployment of UTES technologies in Europe. The 3-year project started in 2018 will stimulate a fast-track market uptake in Europe, promoting development from demonstration phase to commercial deployment within 2 to 5 years, and provide an outlook for utilization potential towards 2030 and 2050. The HEATSTORE consortium brings together 24 contributing partners (mix of scientific research institutes and private companies) from 9 countries. Country demonstration projects in HEATSTORE: Netherlands Geothermal heat doublets combined with Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (max 90°C) integrated into a heat network used by the horticultural industry France Solar thermal combined with a Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (40˚C) with lateral heat recovery boreholes Switzerland Geneva The development of a deep Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage system ( more than 50˚C) in Cretaceous porous limestone connected to a waste-to-energy plant Switzerland Bern Surplus heat storage underground (200 - 500m, max 120 ˚C) in existing district heating system fed with combined-cycle, waste-to-energy and wood fired plants. Germany Mine Thermal Energy Storage pilot plant for the energetic reuse of summer surplus heat from Concentrated Solar Thermal (max. 80°C; ∆t: 50-60 K). Belgium Demand side management (DSM) of a geothermal heating network, including assessment of adding thermal storage