IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v14y2021i19p6241-d647795.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Numerical Modeling of the Interference of Thermally Unbalanced Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Systems in Brussels (Belgium)

Author

Listed:
  • Manon Bulté

    (Geological Engineering, Urban and Environmental Engineering Unit, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
    Current address: AQUALE Ltd. Environmental Protection, Noville-les-Bois, 5380 Namur, Belgium.)

  • Thierry Duren

    (ARTESIA Ltd. Hydrogeology & Environment, Liège Science Park, 4031 Liège, Belgium)

  • Olivier Bouhon

    (ARTESIA Ltd. Hydrogeology & Environment, Liège Science Park, 4031 Liège, Belgium)

  • Estelle Petitclerc

    (Geothermal Energy, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Geological Survey of Belgium, 1000 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Mathieu Agniel

    (Water Department, Brussels Environment, 1000 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Alain Dassargues

    (Hydrogeology & Environmental Geology, Urban and Environmental Engineering Unit, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium)

Abstract

A numerical model was built using FEFLOW ® to simulate groundwater flow and heat transport in a confined aquifer in Brussels where two Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) systems were installed. These systems are operating in adjacent buildings and exploit the same aquifer made up of mixed sandy and silty sublayers. The model was calibrated for groundwater flow and partially for heat transport. Several scenarios were considered to determine if the two ATES systems were interfering. The results showed that a significant imbalance between the injection of warm and cold water in the first installed ATES system led to the occurrence of a heat plume spreading more and more over the years. This plume eventually reached the cold wells of the same installation. The temperature, therefore, increased in warm and cold wells and the efficiency of the building’s cooling system decreased. When the second ATES system began to be operational, the simulated results showed that, even if the heat plumes of the two systems had come into contact, the influence of the second system on the first one was negligible during the first two years of joint operation. For a longer modeled period, simulated results pointed out that the joint operation of the two ATES systems was not adapted to balance, in the long term, the quantity of warm and cold water injected in the aquifer. The groundwater temperature would rise inexorably in the warm and cold wells of both systems. The heat plumes would spread more and more over the years at the expense of the efficiency of both systems, especially concerning building’s cooling with stored cold groundwater.

Suggested Citation

  • Manon Bulté & Thierry Duren & Olivier Bouhon & Estelle Petitclerc & Mathieu Agniel & Alain Dassargues, 2021. "Numerical Modeling of the Interference of Thermally Unbalanced Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Systems in Brussels (Belgium)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:19:p:6241-:d:647795
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/19/6241/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/19/6241/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. García-Gil, Alejandro & Goetzl, Gregor & Kłonowski, Maciej R. & Borovic, Staša & Boon, David P. & Abesser, Corinna & Janza, Mitja & Herms, Ignasi & Petitclerc, Estelle & Erlström, Mikael & Holecek, Ja, 2020. "Governance of shallow geothermal energy resources," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    2. Bakr, Mahmoud & van Oostrom, Niels & Sommer, Wijb, 2013. "Efficiency of and interference among multiple Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage systems; A Dutch case study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 53-62.
    3. Fleuchaus, Paul & Schüppler, Simon & Godschalk, Bas & Bakema, Guido & Blum, Philipp, 2020. "Performance analysis of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 1536-1548.
    4. Hähnlein, Stefanie & Bayer, Peter & Ferguson, Grant & Blum, Philipp, 2013. "Sustainability and policy for the thermal use of shallow geothermal energy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 914-925.
    5. Yapparova, Alina & Matthäi, Stephan & Driesner, Thomas, 2014. "Realistic simulation of an aquifer thermal energy storage: Effects of injection temperature, well placement and groundwater flow," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1011-1018.
    6. Hamada, Yasuhiro & Marutani, Kaoru & Nakamura, Makoto & Nagasaka, Shigeyuki & Ochifuji, Kiyoshi & Fuchigami, Shigeki & Yokoyama, Shintaro, 2002. "Study on underground thermal characteristics by using digital national land information, and its application for energy utilization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 72(3-4), pages 659-675, July.
    7. Herbert, Alan & Arthur, Simon & Chillingworth, Grace, 2013. "Thermal modelling of large scale exploitation of ground source energy in urban aquifers as a resource management tool," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 94-103.
    8. Kranz, Stefan & Frick, Stephanie, 2013. "Efficient cooling energy supply with aquifer thermal energy storages," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 321-327.
    9. Tsagarakis, Konstantinos P. & Efthymiou, Loukia & Michopoulos, Apostolos & Mavragani, Amaryllis & Anđelković, Aleksandar S. & Antolini, Francesco & Bacic, Mario & Bajare, Diana & Baralis, Matteo & Bog, 2020. "A review of the legal framework in shallow geothermal energy in selected European countries: Need for guidelines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P2), pages 2556-2571.
    10. Bloemendal, Martin & Olsthoorn, Theo & Boons, Frank, 2014. "How to achieve optimal and sustainable use of the subsurface for Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 104-114.
    11. Sommer, Wijbrand & Valstar, Johan & Leusbrock, Ingo & Grotenhuis, Tim & Rijnaarts, Huub, 2015. "Optimization and spatial pattern of large-scale aquifer thermal energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 322-337.
    12. Park, Dong Kyu & Kaown, Dugin & Lee, Kang-Kun, 2020. "Development of a simulation-optimization model for sustainable operation of groundwater heat pump system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 585-595.
    13. Haehnlein, Stefanie & Bayer, Peter & Blum, Philipp, 2010. "International legal status of the use of shallow geothermal energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(9), pages 2611-2625, December.
    14. Casasso, Alessandro & Sethi, Rajandrea, 2015. "Modelling thermal recycling occurring in groundwater heat pumps (GWHPs)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 86-93.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Chro Hama Radha, 2023. "Retrofitting for Improving Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in the Hospital Building," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Anna Sowiżdżał, 2022. "Geothermal Systems—An Overview," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-5, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Fleuchaus, Paul & Godschalk, Bas & Stober, Ingrid & Blum, Philipp, 2018. "Worldwide application of aquifer thermal energy storage – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 861-876.
    2. Fleuchaus, Paul & Schüppler, Simon & Godschalk, Bas & Bakema, Guido & Blum, Philipp, 2020. "Performance analysis of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 1536-1548.
    3. Sommer, Wijbrand & Valstar, Johan & Leusbrock, Ingo & Grotenhuis, Tim & Rijnaarts, Huub, 2015. "Optimization and spatial pattern of large-scale aquifer thermal energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 322-337.
    4. García-Gil, Alejandro & Goetzl, Gregor & Kłonowski, Maciej R. & Borovic, Staša & Boon, David P. & Abesser, Corinna & Janza, Mitja & Herms, Ignasi & Petitclerc, Estelle & Erlström, Mikael & Holecek, Ja, 2020. "Governance of shallow geothermal energy resources," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    5. Liu, Xueling & Wang, Yuanming & Li, Shuai & Jiang, Xin & Fu, Weijuan, 2020. "The influence of reinjection and hydrogeological parameters on thermal energy storage in brine aquifer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    6. Alcaraz, Mar & García-Gil, Alejandro & Vázquez-Suñé, Enric & Velasco, Violeta, 2016. "Use rights markets for shallow geothermal energy management," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 34-46.
    7. Alejandro García-Gil & Miguel Mejías Moreno & Eduardo Garrido Schneider & Miguel Ángel Marazuela & Corinna Abesser & Jesús Mateo Lázaro & José Ángel Sánchez Navarro, 2020. "Nested Shallow Geothermal Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-13, June.
    8. Rapantova, Nada & Pospisil, Pavel & Koziorek, Jiri & Vojcinak, Petr & Grycz, David & Rozehnal, Zdenek, 2016. "Optimisation of experimental operation of borehole thermal energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 464-476.
    9. Bloemendal, Martin & Jaxa-Rozen, Marc & Olsthoorn, Theo, 2018. "Methods for planning of ATES systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 534-557.
    10. Lu, Hongwei & Tian, Peipei & He, Li, 2019. "Evaluating the global potential of aquifer thermal energy storage and determining the potential worldwide hotspots driven by socio-economic, geo-hydrologic and climatic conditions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 788-796.
    11. Pophillat, William & Attard, Guillaume & Bayer, Peter & Hecht-Méndez, Jozsef & Blum, Philipp, 2020. "Analytical solutions for predicting thermal plumes of groundwater heat pump systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P2), pages 2696-2707.
    12. Somogyi, Viola & Sebestyén, Viktor & Nagy, Georgina, 2017. "Scientific achievements and regulation of shallow geothermal systems in six European countries – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P2), pages 934-952.
    13. Beernink, Stijn & Bloemendal, Martin & Kleinlugtenbelt, Rob & Hartog, Niels, 2022. "Maximizing the use of aquifer thermal energy storage systems in urban areas: effects on individual system primary energy use and overall GHG emissions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    14. Epting, Jannis & Böttcher, Fabian & Mueller, Matthias H. & García-Gil, Alejandro & Zosseder, Kai & Huggenberger, Peter, 2020. "City-scale solutions for the energy use of shallow urban subsurface resources – Bridging the gap between theoretical and technical potentials," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 751-763.
    15. Xiao, Xiao & Jiang, Zhenjiao & Owen, Daniel & Schrank, Christoph, 2016. "Numerical simulation of a high-temperature aquifer thermal energy storage system coupled with heating and cooling of a thermal plant in a cold region, China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 443-456.
    16. De Schepper, Guillaume & Paulus, Claire & Bolly, Pierre-Yves & Hermans, Thomas & Lesparre, Nolwenn & Robert, Tanguy, 2019. "Assessment of short-term aquifer thermal energy storage for demand-side management perspectives: Experimental and numerical developments," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 534-546.
    17. Kastner, O. & Norden, B. & Klapperer, S. & Park, S. & Urpi, L. & Cacace, M. & Blöcher, G., 2017. "Thermal solar energy storage in Jurassic aquifers in Northeastern Germany: A simulation study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 290-306.
    18. Majuri, Pirjo & Arola, Teppo & Kumpula, Anne & Vuorisalo, Timo, 2021. "Geoenergy permits in Finnish regional administration – Contradictory practices and inadequate judicial regulation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 151-159.
    19. McClean, A. & Pedersen, O.W., 2023. "The role of regulation in geothermal energy in the UK," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    20. Bayer, Peter & de Paly, Michael & Beck, Markus, 2014. "Strategic optimization of borehole heat exchanger field for seasonal geothermal heating and cooling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 445-453.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:19:p:6241-:d:647795. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.