Publications

Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) can balance seasonal swings in heating and cooling demand, support heating networks and help integrate renewable energy. This study assesses the feasibility of ATES in a shallow confined aquifer (under 200 m) in Riva del Garda, Italy. Using a site-specific FEFLOW© model, it examines how hydraulic conductivity, hydraulic gradient and injection temperature affect recovery efficiency. The results confirm ATES as a viable option for decarbonising large heating networks in Riva del Garda and show that hydraulic gradient, conductivity, well spacing and injection temperature largely determine thermal recovery. Further work with the Volsung toolkit will refine the model and explore subsurface variability in more detail.

This updated deliverable, led by FBK under Task 5.1 of WP5, replaces the version submitted in December 2024, which was based on the initial demo in Riva del Garda, Italy. It presents the new ATES demo site in Andel, the Netherlands, covering demonstration planning, local and geological conditions, and the technical and non-technical requirements. It reviews the deployment plans for the USES4HEAT innovative technologies and sets a baseline for tracking progress. It also includes an action plan with timelines and responsibilities, a demo-specific timeline with milestones, and a risk assessment with mitigation measures.

This revised deliverable, led by CUS under Task 4.1 of WP4, describes the new Litoměřice demonstration site and the pre-engineering work for sizing and operating the system, including the main waste heat source and additional heat generation options. It analyses current energy flows and demand in the district heating network and sets out the technical basis for integrating solar thermal systems and other key technologies in USES4HEAT. The work extends the local energy system built under the SYNERGYS project, which supports the transformation of the Ústí nad Labem coal region. Preliminary simulations inform the final design, including collector area and number of boreholes, and predict system performance.

This document updates the initial M6 draft, refining the objectives and activities of the USES4HEAT demosites. It incorporates monitoring data and early R&D outcomes to define a KPI panel for tracking progress across key work packages. The updated baseline analysis of the demosites includes energy needs, ambitions, and potential alternative layouts. These insights support future replication planning and have informed the finalized project KPI and monitoring strategy.

The deliverable provides a comprehensive overview of the demo site, analysing the current energy flows
and demand profile within the district heating network while reporting on general activities undertaken during the project’s first year at the Riva del Garda demo site. Additionally, it reviews the future deployment plans for the USES4HEAT innovative technologies and establishes a baseline to track progress throughout the project timeline. A detailed action plan, complete with timelines and responsibilities, has been defined, including a review of the technical and non-technical aspects to be considered.

The deliverable provides an overview of the demo site and the pre-engineering work toward its sizing and operational optimization considering not only the main waste heat source but also additional heat
generation opportunities. The document presents also the main background behind the project, analyzes the current energy flows and demand profile within the district heating network while reporting on general activities undertaken during the project’s first year and the contribution of the key partners.

How do you heat about 15 hectares of orchid greenhouse without natural gas?

The USES4HEAT demonstrator in Andel, the Netherlands, stores the heat of summer underground and uses it in winter. This article presents the baseline study behind it. It covers the local climate, the layers of sand and clay under the site, the design of the storage wells, the heat pumps and the solar panels that make electricity and heat. It also explains the special permit the project needs. Read it for maps, charts and photos of how the system will work.