The impact of subsurface heterogeneity on the performance of aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) systems

Energy demand continues to rise globally with the largest percentage being met by fossil fuels which emit greenhouse gases and drive climate change. Significant efforts have been made in decarbonising the energy demand, especially power generation and transportation. However, less progress has been made in the heating and cooling sector, in parts due to seasonal mismatch between energy demand and supply. Aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) system- an efficient form of thermal energy storage, provides a solution to this challenge.

The performance of an ATES system is affected by subsurface heterogeneities (depositional features of sedimentary aquifers, fractures, igneous intrusions etc.) and this study will focus on the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone Aquifer to investigate the impacts of these heterogeneities.

This study will utilise borehole nuclear magnetic resonance, borehole geophysics and pumping tests for baseline charaterisation of the aquifer system. Also, short and long-term monitoring of thermal injection tests at different temperatures will provide insights into the thermal properties of the aquifer. Numerical heat transport models will be developed using the monitored data to evaluate different application scenarios for ATES systems.

This research outcome will serve as a reference for the extent of subsurface heterogeneities on the performance of ATES systems.