ATES stands for Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage. The concept of ATES involves using the ground as a battery for storing heat and cold. During the summer, cold groundwater is extracted to cool a building. The warmed water is then returned to the ground in a warm well. This process allows for efficient cooling. In the winter, warm water is extracted from the warm well and, combined with a heat pump, used to heat the building. The cold is transferred to the groundwater and re-infiltrated into the cold well. This creates a buffer of cold and heat, which can be reused in the following season in a sustainable and CO2-saving manner. ATES is commonly used in buildings that require heating and cooling, such as offices, hospitals, shopping centers, and greenhouses.