Possibilities for Heating and Cooling Through Underground Thermal Energy Storage in the Mediterranean Area

Abstract

Because of the climatic conditions around the Mediterranean sea and on the islands, cooling is the premier task of building thermal energy systems. The systems used currently almost all depend on refrigeration cycles driven by electricity (compression chillers) or high-temperature heat (absorption chillers). The result is a tremendous need for energy just for space cooling. In places where at times enough cold (winter air, rivers from mountains, etc.) exist, Underground Thermal Energy Storage is a very effective method to save energy.