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Environmental impacts of aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES)

Author

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  • Stemmle, Ruben
  • Blum, Philipp
  • Schüppler, Simon
  • Fleuchaus, Paul
  • Limoges, Melissa
  • Bayer, Peter
  • Menberg, Kathrin

Abstract

Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) is an open-loop geothermal system allowing long-term storage of thermal energy in groundwater. It is a promising technology for environmentally friendly energy generation that can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the literature, there are few studies on the greenhouse gas emissions caused by ATES systems over their entire life cycle. Thus, this study presents a novel life cycle assessment (LCA) regression model that can be used for a wide range of ATES configurations due to its parametric structure. This model is a fast alternative to conventional time-consuming LCAs. Combined with a Monte Carlo simulation, it enables the analysis of the environmental impacts of a large variety of hypothetical ATES systems and therefore the evaluation of the technology as a whole. Compared to conventional heating systems based on heating oil and natural gas, the median value of the Monte Carlo simulation results in GHG savings of up to 74%. In comparison to cooling techniques using today's electricity mix, ATES can save up to about 59% of GHG emissions, while also being economically competitive. When considering a projected electricity mix for the year 2050, the GHG emission savings resulting from a second LCA regression model are as high as 97%. The findings of our sensitivity analysis show which ATES design parameters should be optimized when planning new systems. In particular, the most important design parameters operating time cooling and coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump should be carefully considered.

Suggested Citation

  • Stemmle, Ruben & Blum, Philipp & Schüppler, Simon & Fleuchaus, Paul & Limoges, Melissa & Bayer, Peter & Menberg, Kathrin, 2021. "Environmental impacts of aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES)," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:151:y:2021:i:c:s1364032121008388
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111560
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Blum, Philipp & Campillo, Gisela & Münch, Wolfram & Kölbel, Thomas, 2010. "CO2 savings of ground source heat pump systems – A regional analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 122-127.
    2. Frick, Stephanie & Kaltschmitt, Martin & Schröder, Gerd, 2010. "Life cycle assessment of geothermal binary power plants using enhanced low-temperature reservoirs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 2281-2294.
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    4. Bloemendal, Martin & Olsthoorn, Theo & Boons, Frank, 2014. "How to achieve optimal and sustainable use of the subsurface for Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 104-114.
    5. Bloemendal, Martin & Jaxa-Rozen, Marc & Olsthoorn, Theo, 2018. "Methods for planning of ATES systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 534-557.
    6. Fleuchaus, Paul & Schüppler, Simon & Godschalk, Bas & Bakema, Guido & Blum, Philipp, 2020. "Performance analysis of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 1536-1548.
    7. Fleuchaus, Paul & Godschalk, Bas & Stober, Ingrid & Blum, Philipp, 2018. "Worldwide application of aquifer thermal energy storage – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 861-876.
    8. Saner, Dominik & Juraske, Ronnie & Kübert, Markus & Blum, Philipp & Hellweg, Stefanie & Bayer, Peter, 2010. "Is it only CO2 that matters? A life cycle perspective on shallow geothermal systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(7), pages 1798-1813, September.
    9. Bayer, Peter & Attard, Guillaume & Blum, Philipp & Menberg, Kathrin, 2019. "The geothermal potential of cities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 17-30.
    10. Bayer, Peter & Saner, Dominik & Bolay, Stephan & Rybach, Ladislaus & Blum, Philipp, 2012. "Greenhouse gas emission savings of ground source heat pump systems in Europe: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(2), pages 1256-1267.
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    1. Isye Hayatina & Amar Auckaili & Mohammed Farid, 2023. "Review on the Life Cycle Assessment of Thermal Energy Storage Used in Building Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Barth, Florian & Schüppler, Simon & Menberg, Kathrin & Blum, Philipp, 2023. "Estimating cooling capacities from aerial images using convolutional neural networks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 349(C).
    3. Beernink, Stijn & Bloemendal, Martin & Kleinlugtenbelt, Rob & Hartog, Niels, 2022. "Maximizing the use of aquifer thermal energy storage systems in urban areas: effects on individual system primary energy use and overall GHG emissions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    4. Menberg, Kathrin & Heberle, Florian & Uhrmann, Hannah & Bott, Christoph & Grünäugl, Sebastian & Brüggemann, Dieter & Bayer, Peter, 2023. "Environmental impact of cogeneration in binary geothermal plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    5. Parajuli, Samvid & Narayan Bhattarai, Tek & Gorjian, Shiva & Vithanage, Meththika & Raj Paudel, Shukra, 2023. "Assessment of potential renewable energy alternatives for a typical greenhouse aquaponics in Himalayan Region of Nepal," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 344(C).

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