IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i5p1019-d1595452.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Insights into Aquifer and Borehole Thermal Energy Storage Systems for Slovenia’s Energy Transition

Author

Listed:
  • Karlo Borko

    (Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Mihael Brenčič

    (Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 12, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Zdenko Savšek

    (DEWESoft Inspiretech d.o.o., Žabjek 18A, 1422 Trbovlje, Slovenia)

  • Jure Knez

    (DEWESoft Inspiretech d.o.o., Žabjek 18A, 1422 Trbovlje, Slovenia)

  • Aleš Vozelj

    (DEWESoft Inspiretech d.o.o., Žabjek 18A, 1422 Trbovlje, Slovenia)

  • Gregor Kisel

    (DEWESoft Inspiretech d.o.o., Žabjek 18A, 1422 Trbovlje, Slovenia)

  • Nina Rman

    (Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

Since the heating and cooling sectors consume most of the energy in Europe through fossil fuels, the transition to a low-carbon and sustainable energy system is crucial. Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) systems, such as aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) and borehole thermal energy storage (BTES), offer promising solutions by enabling seasonal storage of renewable thermal energy, balancing the mismatch between supply and demand. ATES and BTES systems store excess heat or cold for later use, making them suitable for large-scale applications like residual heat storage from industrial or power generation processes by offering flexibility in heating and cooling. This review explores the geological and hydrogeological requirements for ATES and BTES systems, pointing out the importance of basic geological knowledge, laboratory and field investigations, and operational monitoring to optimize their performance. The study highlights the need for Slovenia to use the experiences of other European nations to overcome initial challenges, develop effective site evaluation methods, and integrate these systems into existing energy infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • Karlo Borko & Mihael Brenčič & Zdenko Savšek & Jure Knez & Aleš Vozelj & Gregor Kisel & Nina Rman, 2025. "Insights into Aquifer and Borehole Thermal Energy Storage Systems for Slovenia’s Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:5:p:1019-:d:1595452
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1019/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1019/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Florides, Georgios & Kalogirou, Soteris, 2007. "Ground heat exchangers—A review of systems, models and applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(15), pages 2461-2478.
    2. Violante, Anna Carmela & Guidi, Giambattista & Proposito, Marco & Mataloni, Simone & Spaziani, Fabio, 2024. "Use of distributed temperature sensing (DTS) coupled to ground source heat exchangers for geological thermo-stratigraphic correlation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    3. 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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rivera, Jaime A. & Blum, Philipp & Bayer, Peter, 2015. "Ground energy balance for borehole heat exchangers: Vertical fluxes, groundwater and storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 1341-1351.
    2. Tang, F. & Lahoori, M. & Nowamooz, H. & Rosin-Paumier, S. & Masrouri, F., 2021. "A numerical study into effects of soil compaction and heat storage on thermal performance of a Horizontal Ground Heat Exchanger," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 740-752.
    3. Tang, Fujiao & Nowamooz, Hossein, 2018. "Long-term performance of a shallow borehole heat exchanger installed in a geothermal field of Alsace region," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(PA), pages 210-222.
    4. Gao, Jiajia & Li, Anbang & Xu, Xinhua & Gang, Wenjie & Yan, Tian, 2018. "Ground heat exchangers: Applications, technology integration and potentials for zero energy buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(PA), pages 337-349.
    5. Trumpy, Eugenio & Bertani, Ruggero & Manzella, Adele & Sander, Marietta, 2015. "The web-oriented framework of the world geothermal production database: A business intelligence platform for wide data distribution and analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 379-389.
    6. Somogyi, Viola & Sebestyén, Viktor & Nagy, Georgina, 2017. "Scientific achievements and regulation of shallow geothermal systems in six European countries – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P2), pages 934-952.
    7. Shangyuan Chen & Jinfeng Mao & Xu Han & Chaofeng Li & Liyao Liu, 2016. "Numerical Analysis of the Factors Influencing a Vertical U-Tube Ground Heat Exchanger," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-12, September.
    8. Rodríguez, Rafael & Díaz, María B., 2009. "Analysis of the utilization of mine galleries as geothermal heat exchangers by means a semi-empirical prediction method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(7), pages 1716-1725.
    9. Joana Verheyen & Christian Thommessen & Jürgen Roes & Harry Hoster, 2025. "Effects on the Unit Commitment of a District Heating System Due to Seasonal Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage and Solar Thermal Integration," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-33, January.
    10. 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).
    11. Teguh Hady Ariwibowo & Akio Miyara, 2020. "Thermal Characteristics of Slinky-Coil Ground Heat Exchanger with Discrete Double Inclined Ribs," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-17, August.
    12. Aste, Niccolò & Adhikari, R.S. & Manfren, Massimiliano, 2013. "Cost optimal analysis of heat pump technology adoption in residential reference buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 615-624.
    13. Qi, Cuiting & Zhou, Renjie & Zhan, Hongbin, 2023. "Analysis of heat transfer in an aquifer thermal energy storage system: On the role of two-dimensional thermal conduction," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    14. Li, Min & Lai, Alvin C.K., 2012. "Heat-source solutions to heat conduction in anisotropic media with application to pile and borehole ground heat exchangers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 451-458.
    15. García-Gil, Alejandro & Vázquez-Suñe, Enric & Alcaraz, Maria M. & Juan, Alejandro Serrano & Sánchez-Navarro, José Ángel & Montlleó, Marc & Rodríguez, Gustavo & Lao, José, 2015. "GIS-supported mapping of low-temperature geothermal potential taking groundwater flow into account," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 268-278.
    16. Al-Ameen, Yasameen & Ianakiev, Anton & Evans, Robert, 2017. "Thermal performance of a solar assisted horizontal ground heat exchanger," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(P1), pages 1216-1227.
    17. Yu, Yuebin & Li, Haorong & Niu, Fuxin & Yu, Daihong, 2014. "Investigation of a coupled geothermal cooling system with earth tube and solar chimney," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 209-217.
    18. de Moel, Monique & Bach, Peter M. & Bouazza, Abdelmalek & Singh, Rao M. & Sun, JingLiang O., 2010. "Technological advances and applications of geothermal energy pile foundations and their feasibility in Australia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(9), pages 2683-2696, December.
    19. Ghoreishi-Madiseh, Seyed Ali & Sasmito, Agus P. & Hassani, Ferri P. & Amiri, Leyla, 2017. "Performance evaluation of large scale rock-pit seasonal thermal energy storage for application in underground mine ventilation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1940-1947.
    20. Adriana Greco & Edison Gundabattini & Darius Gnanaraj Solomon & Raja Singh Rassiah & Claudia Masselli, 2022. "A Review on Geothermal Renewable Energy Systems for Eco-Friendly Air-Conditioning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-17, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:5:p:1019-:d:1595452. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.