Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES)
Geothermal from Groundwater
Geothermal from Groundwater
Summer heat can be stored in an Aquifer for use for winter heating. Winter cool can be stored for summer cooling.
Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES)
Geothermal from the Earth
Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES)
- Groundwater can store tremendous quantities of heat and cool. This thermodynamic principle makes aquifers ideal for energy storage.
- Where aquifers exist, water is pumped directly from the aquifer to heat exchangers or heat pumps in buildings. Energy is then recovered and used for heating or cooling. The water can then be injected back into the aquifer to store for later use.
- ATES is based on the use of the aquifer to store winter cold for use in summer. Likewise summer heat is stored for use in winter. This greatly improves the economic benefits.
Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES)
- BTES systems store heat and cool energy in soil and rock. They are simpler to construct and operate than ATES. They can also be installed virtually anywhere, making them ideal for urban and developed areas.
- Advanced, sonic drilling technology is used to rapidly drill clusters of boreholes to depths of 100m or more. Loops of plastic tubing are installed in the boreholes, and fluid is circulated through the loops. Hot and cold energy is transferred to and from the earth and heat pumps in the building via the closed loops.
- Waste hot and cold energy is stored in the rock during the summer and winter seasons for use in the following season.