Experimental modelling of seasonal thermal energy storage within unconfined aquifer (ATES)

• Published in: Canadian geotechnical journal 2021-08, Vol.58 (8), p.1135-1147
• Main Authors: Charlwood, S.P, Madabhushi, S.P.G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquifer storage; Aquifer systems; aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES); Aquifers; aquifère non confiné; Cooling systems; efficacité thermique; Energy; Energy development; Energy storage; experimental modelling; Heat storage; Heating and cooling; Injection; Model testing; modélisation expérimentale; Simulation; stockage d’énergie thermique; stockage d’énergie thermique en aquifère (ATES); Storage systems; thermal efficiency; Thermal energy; thermal energy storage; Thermal properties; Thermal storage; unconfined aquifer; Unconfined aquifers
• ISSN: 0008-3674; 1208-6010
• DOI: 10.1139/cgj-2020-0208

Aquifer thermal energy storage systems allow the storage of excess heat from summer for use during the winter. This investigation looks at the suitability of a small-scale experimental model as a method for simulating the behaviour of full-scale unconfined aquifers for thermal storage. Thermal energy was stored via the injection of 40, 60, and 80 °C water for a period of 1000 s with extraction being between 1000 and 2000 s. Furthermore, periods of storage between injection and extraction were introduced to simulate potential full-scale heating and cooling demand scenarios. Thermal efficiencies were found to be ∼60% reducing to ∼53% with the addition of a 1000 s storage period. Furthermore, for the model tested in this investigation the temperature of the injected water was found to have little influence upon the efficiency.