Environmental assessment of the potential effects of aquifer thermal energy storage systems on microorganisms in groundwater

Technical Report · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5197067· OSTI ID:5197067

Hicks, R J; Stewart, D L

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the potential environmental effects (both adverse and beneficials) of aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) technology pertaining to microbial communities indigenous to subsurface environments (i.e., aquifers) and the propagation, movement, and potential release of pathogenic microorganisms (specifically, Legionella) within ATES systems. Seasonal storage of thermal energy in aquifers shows great promise to reduce peak demand; reduce electric utility load problems; contribute to establishing favorable economics for district heating and cooling systems; and reduce pollution from extraction, refining, and combustion of fossil fuels. However, concerns that the widespread implementation of this technology may have adverse effects on biological systems indigeneous to aquifers, as well as help to propagate and release pathogenic organisms that enter thee environments need to be resolved. 101 refs., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5197067
• Report Number(s): PNL-6492; ON: DE88007314
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250600 -- Energy Storage-- Thermal
520100 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550700 -- Microbiology
560200* -- Thermal Effects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AQUIFERS
BACTERIA
CHEMISTRY
ECOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EQUIPMENT
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MICROORGANISMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARASITES
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
VIRUSES
WATER
WATER CHEMISTRY