International ATES Workshop

Utrecht, The Netherlands | 28–30 October 2026

From Dutch ATES experience to opportunities and possibilities in your own country.

Learn how ATES can reduce your dependence on fossil fuels.

Register for the ATES Workshop

Early-bird deadline: 1 September 2026 | Final registration: 16 October 2026

ATES in cooling mode

From Dutch ATES experience to opportunities in your country

Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) is a proven technology for sustainable heating and cooling. The Netherlands has decades of practical experience with ATES systems in buildings, campuses, hospitals, greenhouses, data centres and district heating and cooling networks.

Core values and objectives of the workshop

This 3-day international workshop brings together Dutch ATES experts and international participants to explore how this experience can support successful ATES project in your country.

ATES in cooling mode

Think in solutions

Practical ATES knowledge: from idea and feasibility to design, permits and realisation of ATES systems.

ATES in cooling mode

Driven by business

Explore the optimized integration of ATES systems, the business case, CAPEX/OPEX of ATES, and project economics.

ATES in cooling mode

Sharing is caring

Learn from Dutch experience, project visits, experts, suppliers and international exchange.

Why join this workshop

ATES can play an important role in the heat transition by storing heat and cold in the subsurface and reusing this energy when it is needed. However, successful ATES implementation requires more than technology alone.

This workshop is designed to provide a practical and project-oriented understanding of these aspects, based on Dutch experience and lessons learned.

 

Speakers

The workshop will be delivered by experienced ATES professionals with extensive practical knowledge of Dutch and international ATES project development.

Confirmed speakers include:

  • Bas Godschalk – DTESS
    Specialist in international ATES project development, feasibility, permitting, project management and knowledge exchange, with extensive experience in translating Dutch ATES expertise to projects abroad.
  • Bob van Soest – Scope 0
    Specialist in drilling, well installation and technical risk reduction, with practical experience in the preparation and execution of underground energy storage projects.
  • Benno Drijver – IF Technology
    Specialist in hydrogeology, groundwater modelling, well design and subsurface feasibility for ATES systems for over 25 years.
  • Rob Kleinlugtenbelt – IF Technology
    Specialist in energy concepts, system integration, district heating and cooling, business case development and project economics for ATES applications.
  • Nico Franco Pinto – IF Technology
    Specialist in mechanical design, pumps, injection valves, heat exchangers and control systems for reliable ATES operation.

Additional professionals and suppliers may contribute to the programme, depending on the final agenda and your interests of the proposed topics.

Main topics of the course

  • Introduction to ATES, Dutch market  and HT-ATES
    Understanding the basic principles of ATES, how the Dutch market developed, critical success factors and current HT-ATES developments.
  • Hydrogeological feasibility
    Assessing suitable aquifers, groundwater conditions, storage capacity and key subsurface risks.
  • Energy concept development
    Designing a robust heating and cooling concept that matches demand, sources, storage potential and operational strategy.
  • System integration
    Connecting ATES with buildings, campuses, utilities, district heating and cooling networks, heat pumps and other sustainable energy sources.
  • Business case and project economics
    Understanding CAPEX, OPEX, energy savings, value creation, risks and financial feasibility.
  • Well design and construction quality
    Translating hydrogeological conditions into reliable well design, drilling, installation and commissioning.
  • Mechanical design and risk reduction
    Reducing technical and operational risks through proper selection of materials, injection valves, heat exchangers, pumps, and control systems.
  • Permitting and environmental risk management
    Addressing groundwater protection, thermal impacts, regulation, monitoring requirements and stakeholder responsibilities.
  • Operation, monitoring and optimisation
    Ensuring reliable long-term performance through data, control strategy, maintenance, energy balance and system optimisation.
Register for the Workshop

Who should attend ?

This workshop is aimed at international professionals involved in sustainable heating and cooling, underground thermal energy storage, district energy and geothermal project development. The workshop is especially relevant for:

Consultants

Engineering companies

Building owners

Real estate developers

Public authorities

Utilities and ESCO's

Energy companies

Academia

Drilling contractors

Workshop programme structure

The tentative agenda for the three-day workshop is as follows:

Day 1

Wednesday 28 October 2026

Introduction to ATES, Economics & Permits

  • Introduction to ATES, development in the Netherlands and critical success factors

  • Overview of ATES workflow, feasibility, design and construction

  • Energy concept, system integration and district heating and cooling

  • Business case, CAPEX/OPEX and project economics

  • Permitting and ATES regulations

  • Q&A

Day 2

Thursday 29 October 2026

Technical deepening and implementation

  • Hydrogeology, modelling and well design

  • Drilling, well installation and risk & cost reduction

  • Mechanical design, pumps, injection valves and control system

  • Exploitation and results from Dutch projects

  • Supplier pitches on critical ATES components

  • Drinks and discussion with suppliers and project opportunities

Day 3

Friday 30 October 2026

Project visits to running ATES installations

  • Visit two ATES projects

  • Renovated office of a.s.r. insurance company in Utrecht. Includes wells, technical room and other sustainable innovations (tbc).

  • Multi doublet ATES system of the Rabobank in the city of Utrecht. Tour around ATES wells and technical room (tbc).

  • Houthavens in Amsterdam. ATES in combination with aquathermal energy for large scale households and offices (tbc).

  • Speak with ATES owner and get their user experience.

  • Practical lessons of implemented ATES systems

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Supplier involvement

ATES projects depend on high-quality design, reliable components and careful execution. During the workshop, suppliers will be invited to contribute to the technical programme with short, practical pitches on critical components and lessons learned from implementation.

Possible supplier topics include:

  • Well materials and PVC screens by Boode

  • Injection valves and pumps by Melotte

  • ATES control systems by Priva

  • Drilling equipment by Conrad Stanen

  • Dutch UTES trade association BENL

Register and indicate your preference

Participation fee

Regular fee

€ 1,750 excl. VAT

Early-bird fee

€ 1,450 excl. VAT before 1 September 2026.

PhD Candidate Rate

€ 850 excl. VAT. Max. 4 participants.

Included

  • All workshop sessions on day 1 and day 2

  • Project visits on day 3

  • Lunches, coffee, tea and drinks

  • Digital workshop information and materials

Not included

  • Travel to and from the Netherlands

  • Hotel accommodation

  • Dinners, but can be separately booked

  • Personal expenses

Registration and deadlines

Registration is open via the registration form below.

Register for the Workshop

Important dates

  • Early-bird registration deadline: 1 September 2026

  • Final registration deadline: 16 October 2026

  • Workshop dates: 28–30 October 2026

Participation is confirmed after registration, written confirmation by DTESS and payment.

Places are limited.

Cancellation conditions

Cancellation is possible under the following conditions:

  • Cancellation up to and including 28 September 2026: free of charge;

  • Cancellation from 29 September until 15 October 2026: 70% refund;

  • Cancellation from 16 October 2026 onwards: no refund.

Replacement by a colleague is possible and free of charge after consultation with DTESS.

DTESS reserves the right to postpone or cancel the workshop in case of insufficient registrations or unforeseen circumstances. In that case, registered participants will be informed as soon as possible.

HT-ATES in heating mode

Interested in HT-ATES?

This workshop focuses on ATES. DTESS is also preparing a separate HT-ATES workshop for early 2027.

This dedicated HT-ATES workshop will focus more specifically on high-temperature aquifer thermal energy storage, district heating integration, business case modelling, ESP operation, use of high temperature resistant components, geochemistry, risk management and project development.

Are you interested in the HT-ATES workshop in early 2027?

Indicate interest in the HT-ATES workshop

Please indicate “HT-ATES workshop 2027” in your message and we keep you updated.

Contact

For questions about the International ATES Workshop, please contact:

Bas Godschalk
DTESS

Register for the Workshop
Contact DTESS

driven by business