Assessing the potential of low‑transmissivity aquifers for aquifer thermal energy storage systems : a case study in Flanders (Belgium)

The Member States of the European Union pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050. Shallow geothermal systems might substantially contribute by providing heating and cooling in a sustainable way through seasonally storing heat and cold in the shallow ground (<200 m). When the minimum yield associated with the installation of a cost-effective aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) system cannot be met, borehole thermal energy storage, relying mostly on the thermal conductivity of the ground, is proposed. However, for large-scale applications, this requires the installation... Mehr ...