Ates Smart Grids: Optimal Use Of Subsurface Space In High Density Ates Areas

Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) systems provide buildings with sustainable space heating and cooling by seasonally storing and recovering thermal energy in the subsurface. The increased use of ATES in Dutch cities resulted in dense use of ATES in urban aquifers, often up to congestion level. Because thermal interactions among neighbouring systems may improve (same type of wells close together) or degrade (opposite type of wells together) system performance, the spatial layout of ATES wells is a key aspect for this novel energy storage technology. To prevent negative interaction, current policy requires ATES wells to be placed at relatively large distance from each other. However, several studies have shown that wells can be placed closer together, allowing ATES adoption for more buildings than under current policy with the spacious safety margins. Utilising the full storage potential of urban aquifers then requires increasing the density of ATES wells. This density can be further increased using a distributed energy management in which ATES wells can be controlled in order to prevent negative interactions during operation. In this research such a framework was developed. The delivered proof of concept of this framework is carried out by facilitating information exchange between ATES systems and the use of various (types of) model predictive control approaches. Simulated case studies, varying from small academic setting to full size complex urban conditions, have been used to develop and test the framework. Results show a significant decrease of CO2 emissions by allowing more ATES wells in the urban aquifer. Ongoing research focuses on using this framework in an aquifer beneath a densely populated district of Amsterdam. Results from this case/pilot will be presented.