USES4HEAT (Underground Large Scale Seasonal Energy Storage for Decarbonized and Reliable Heat) is a European project that aims to demonstrate innovative large-scale solutions for seasonal thermal energy storage to ensure a reliable and carbon-free heat supply.
The project includes the realisation of two innovative and cost-effective underground seasonal thermal energy storage (TES) systems:
- ATES (Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage): a storage system that uses underground aquifers to store heat.
- BTES (Borehole Thermal Energy Storage): a storage system that uses high-temperature geothermal probes.
These technologies are integrated into existing district heating networks and industrial processes to maximise the availability and resilience of the heat supply while reducing energy losses and environmental impact.
Fundamental technologies and key innovations
USES4HEAT comprises six innovative technology components to improve system efficiency and sustainability:
- Advanced drilling technologies: Remotely controlled equipment and machines that reduce drilling times for ATES.
- High-temperature stratified drill pipes: innovative materials for BTES that guarantee high thermal performance.
- Groundwater heat pumps: efficient systems that use fluids with low global warming potential.
- Hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar panels: integration with BTES to increase the availability of renewable energy.
- Concentrated solar thermal collectors: maximising the use of solar energy for seasonal storage.
- AI- and big data-based predictive energy management software: optimises the operation of the integrated system.
Aims of the project
USES4HEAT project has clear and ambitious goals to revolutionise the way heat is stored, distributed and used in urban and industrial environments:
- Demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of large-scale seasonal heat storage solutions that are fully integrated into existing district heating networks and industrial heat recovery systems.
- Develop innovative enabling technologies, including advanced drilling equipment, high temperature borehole heat exchangers and hybrid solar systems to increase overall system efficiency.
- Optimising thermal energy management through predictive digital tools based on artificial intelligence and big data for smart and responsive system monitoring.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impact of the heating sector to contribute to the decarbonization of the European energy mix.
- Facilitate the scalability and replicability of the solutions developed so that they can be deployed in different geographical and infrastructural contexts thanks to tests in real environments and replication studies.
- Support European energy efficiency and energy transition policies in line with the Green Deal and the 2050 climate neutrality targets.
More information on https://www.uses4heat.eu/
