ATESKorea is creating a sustainable heating solution for new greenhouses by storing waste heat from a power plant in the subsurface for use as a renewable heat source. Together with IF Technology and Witteveen+Bos, we are helping ATESKorea exploring the feasibility. This includes conducting a test drilling to examine the soil properties.

In collaboration with IF Technology, a Dutch engineering company, we conducted a study to assess the technical and economic potential of aquifer storage systems for the Berlin district heating system for Berliner Energie und Wärme AG (BEW). The study developed key planning data on costs and performance across different geological conditions, operating scenarios, and storage sizes. Representative “play types” were defined to account for diverse geologies in Berlin, addressing uncertainties and enabling location-specific analysis. The cost tool created by IF Technology, will be used by BEW to estimate investment and operational costs for various systems, integrating new geological findings. The study addressed key planning questions regarding the impact of location on costs and efficiency, realistic maximum storage capacities, the consequences of over-extraction, and surface space requirements, including the need for single or multiple drill sites.

For our client Butterfly Orchids, we are developing a medium-temperature heat storage system for the new greenhouses. Orchids are cultivated in both the existing and new greenhouses. Butterfly Orchids aims to eliminate natural gas usage in the new greenhouses and transition to sustainable energy sources. To achieve this, heat storage is required. During the summer, heat can be harvested from surface water and stored in an aquifer for use in the winter. DTESS is assisting the client with the design and permitting process in collaboration with IF Technology.

DTESS is proud to collaborate with the European consortium USES4HEAT, which focuses on innovative large-scale thermal energy storage solutions. The project comprises two full-scale demonstration sites: one in Norway, dedicated to high-temperature Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES), and another in Riva del Garda, Italy, focusing on high-temperature Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES).

As part of this initiative, DTESS played a key role in designing the wells and the technical installations within them. This included engineering the well pump systems and the injection mechanisms, ensuring efficient and reliable thermal energy storage and retrieval.

The USES4HEAT project is led by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and brings together experts from various fields to advance sustainable energy solutions. By contributing to this cutting-edge research, DTESS reinforces its commitment to developing innovative thermal storage technologies that support the transition to sustainable energy systems.

For more information about the USES4HEAT project, visit: www.uses4heat.eu

DTESS is actively contributing to Task 45 of the IEA Technology Collaboration Programme, titled “Accelerating the Uptake of Large Thermal Energy Storage (LTES).” Task 45 builds upon the foundation of Task 39 and aims to advance the implementation of large-scale thermal energy storage solutions.

Together with European industry partners and research institutions, DTESS is engaged in numerical simulations, the development of a materials database, and the identification of standards for assessing LTES performance. These efforts help enhance the availability of knowledge on LTES, supporting its broader adoption.

Additionally, DTESS collaborates with Renewable Heat on behalf of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) to provide municipalities with crucial information for accelerating the integration of thermal energy storage in district heating networks. The project also explores the role of sustainable investors in facilitating these developments.

Through these initiatives, DTESS is committed to driving innovation and knowledge-sharing in the field of thermal energy storage, fostering a more sustainable and efficient energy future.

For more information about Task 45, visit: www.iea-es.org/task-45

DTESS is actively involved in The Heights, an Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) project in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA. Developed for a new residential complex, Ever-Green Energy aims to provide sustainable heating and cooling through ATES, integrating the system into a district heating network to efficiently supply thermal energy to the buildings.

To realize this project, two to three well pairs are required. DTESS, in close collaboration with Underground Energy and IF Technology, contributed by conducting an in-depth subsurface potential analysis, developing a protocol for test drilling, and interpreting the results. Based on these findings, a comprehensive implementation strategy was formulated to guide the next phase of the project.

By leveraging ATES technology, The Heights aims to set a benchmark for sustainable urban development, demonstrating the potential of thermal energy storage in district heating applications.

For more information on the project, visit: www.theheightssaintpaul.com

DTESS is contributing to groundbreaking advancements in geothermal drilling through its collaboration with Canopus Drilling Solutions Geothermal. Canopus has developed an innovative drilling method known as Steel Shot Drilling, which significantly enhances the speed and precision of drilling through soil and hard rock. By introducing small iron particles into the drilling fluid, this technique increases the Rate of Penetration (ROP) by a factor of three while also allowing for directional control of the borehole.

This breakthrough technology presents significant potential for creating curved boreholes in Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) systems. In a joint study with IF Technology and Repsol, DTESS supported model the increase in thermal capacity per meter of borehole using EED and Feflow. The findings demonstrated that efficiency improved by a factor of three, while the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) decreased, and the required surface area for BTES installations was significantly reduced.

By supporting the development and application of Steel Shot Drilling, DTESS is helping to advance more efficient and cost-effective geothermal energy storage solutions for sustainable heating and cooling systems.

PXL University in Hasselt, Belgium, is working to enhance the sustainability of its campus buildings. One of the proposed solutions is the implementation of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) to efficiently manage heating and cooling demands.

DTESS, in collaboration with IF Technology, conducted an exploratory study to assess the feasibility of utilizing the subsurface as a thermal storage medium. The analysis focused on determining the potential of ATES for storing and distributing thermal energy throughout the campus.

The proposed system involves connecting ATES wells to a thermal network, enabling multiple buildings to be sustainably heated and cooled. By leveraging this innovative approach, PXL University aims to significantly reduce its carbon footprint while optimizing energy efficiency.

Through this project, DTESS continues to support institutions in implementing cutting-edge geothermal solutions for a more sustainable future.

The city of Osaka, Japan, is actively promoting the adoption of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) to enhance sustainable heating and cooling solutions. To support this initiative, Osaka has developed a potential map that indicates the underground capacity for thermal energy storage.

As part of the Climate and Energy Response Facility (CERF), the Dutch Consulate in Osaka has supported this effort. In collaboration with IF Technology, DTESS contributed to developing a calculation method to assess both the capital investment (CAPEX) and operational costs (OPEX) of an ATES system. Additionally, the tool allows for primary energy savings estimations.

Osaka plans to integrate this calculation tool with its ATES potential map, providing a comprehensive resource for stakeholders to evaluate the feasibility and economic viability of ATES projects. By supporting this initiative, DTESS is helping to drive the transition toward sustainable urban energy solutions in Japan.

South Korea faces a growing need to expand its renewable energy capacity due to its limited domestic energy resources. In particular, sustainable energy solutions for the built environment are in high demand, and Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) presents a promising option.

DTESS, in collaboration with Witteveen+Bos, has actively promoted the adoption of ATES through multiple trade missions. In October 2024, the Dutch Embassy in Seoul organized a dedicated workshop, where DTESS and Witteveen+Bos provided participants with insights into the technical and financial aspects of ATES.

By sharing expertise and fostering discussions, this initiative aims to accelerate the development and implementation of ATES in South Korea. Through continued collaboration and knowledge exchange, DTESS hopes to contribute to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future for Korean cities.

For more information, visit: ATES Expert Workshop in Seoul.

The ongoing war in Ukraine has severely damaged the country’s energy infrastructure, making it crucial to establish a sustainable and reliable energy supply independent of Russian gas. Geothermal energy offers a promising solution, particularly for district heating networks and large heat consumers such as greenhouses. Expanding greenhouse construction is also vital for securing Ukraine’s food supply.

A Dutch consortium consisting of TNO, DTESS, and FoodVentures is collaborating with the NGO Geothermal Ukraine to assess the geothermal potential in the Lviv region. If significant geothermal capacity is identified, the focus will shift to Busk to explore the feasibility of using geothermal energy as a heat source for newly developed greenhouses.

Through this initiative, DTESS aims to contribute to Ukraine’s energy resilience by leveraging geothermal energy for both heating and food security.

This project reflects our commitment to sustainable energy solutions that support communities in times of need.