The suitability of High Temperature – Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage in Holland-Rijnland

Abstract

High Temperature – Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (HT-ATES) is a way to efficiently store heat with use of the subsurface. Region Holland-Rijnland has the vision to be free of the use of natural gas in 2050. A proposed high temperature heating network from the port of Rotterdam to the households of Leiden, combined with the use of an HT-ATES system as a buffer, could be the next step to achieve the laid-out vision. This research is a first step in the possibility of placing an HT-ATES system near Leiden. An interpretation of the subsurface near Leiden is done based on information from DINOloket to find potential formations and aquifers. Then, combined with different scenarios for the heat demand from the proposed heat network, a preliminary design of an HT-ATES system is made to test the viability of the potential aquifers. The most suitable aquifer is found in the Maassluis formation at a depth of 230 meters. Per scenario, this aquifer needs the least number of wells for the desired pumping rate. Depending on the scenario, the aquifer has a thermal recovery efficiency ratio between 0,16 – 0,26 and an area – to – volume ratio between 0,051 – 0,056. Other suitable aquifers can be found in the Maassluis formation at a depth of 170 meters and in the Oosterhout formation at a depth of 320 meters. The subsurface near Leiden is suitable for an HT-ATES system, but more research needs to be done on the conflict between heat supply from the port of Rotterdam and heat demand from the proposed network in order for an HT-ATES system to fully supply the seasonal heat demands.