Dimensionless Thermal Efficiency Analysis for Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage

• Published in: Water resources research Vol. 59; no. 11
• Main Authors: Tang, Darrell W. S., Rijnaarts, Huub H. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.11.2023
• Subjects: aquifer thermal energy storage; optimal aspect ratio; simple analytical solutions; thermal efficiency; transient flow; well and plume geometry
• ISSN: 0043-1397; 1944-7973
• DOI: 10.1029/2023WR035797

Seasonal warm and cold water storage in groundwater aquifers is a cost‐effective renewable energy technology for indoor heating and cooling. Simple dimensionless analytical solutions for the thermal recovery efficiency of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) systems are derived, subject to heat losses caused by thermal diffusion and mechanical dispersion. The analytical solutions pertain to transient pumping rates and storage durations, and multiple cycles of operation, and are applicable to various well configurations and thermal plume geometries. Heat losses to confining layers, its implications for optimizing plume geometries and aspect ratios, and heat spreading due to free convection are also discussed. This provides a general tool for broad and rapid assessment of aquifers and ATES systems. We show that if heat exchange with the confining layers is negligible, the thermal recovery efficiency of thermal plumes with cylindrical geometry is independent of the aquifer porosity and heat capacity C0. Therefore, if mechanical dispersion is negligible as is often the case, the only aquifer property that affects the recovery efficiency is the aquifer thermal conductivity. The field‐scale aquifer thermal conductivity λ can therefore be inferred from the recovery efficiency of a push‐pull heat recovery test. Remarkably, an increase in C0 could either increase, decrease, or not affect the recovery efficiency, depending on the thermal plume geometry. Hence, the analytical solutions reveal that the recovery efficiency is affected by complex interactions between the thermal plume geometry and aquifer properties. Approximate analytical solutions for subsurface temperature profiles over an entire ATES cycle are also derived. Key Points Dimensionless analytical solutions of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) thermal efficiency F for various plume geometries, dispersion processes, and transient pumping F depends on aquifer thermal conductivity, mechanical dispersivity, and (except for cylindrical plumes)–heat capacity; but not on porosity Discussion on multi‐year operation, aquifer temperature evolution, optimal plume aspect ratios, and free convection (high temperature ATES)