Overview of the seasonal thermal energy storage program
Seasonal thermal energy storage (STES) has the potential to provide storage for large-scale industrial and building heating and cooling at many sites in the United States. It is one of a number of technologies required to help meet national energy needs to reduce peak electrical demand, improve energy utilization efficiency, facilitate use of renewable and domestic energy sources, as well as reduce emissions causing global climate changes. The US Department of Energy (DOE) is conducting a research and development program to develop STES technologies. Development of aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) is currently emphasized because of its wide applicability and relatively low cost. Current efforts are focused on developing the necessary knowledge base to design and operate ATES systems. This knowledge base includes geohydraulic, geochemical, and geomicrobiologic features affecting design, performance, and institutional acceptability of ATES systems. The scope of activities includes numerical model development and application, laboratory geochemical and microbiologic evaluation, and field performance testing and monitoring. Additional efforts are underway to identify the best ways to integrate ATES with end uses. Future plans follow three primary thrusts: (1) complete investigation of fundamental ATES phenomena and development of design aids (such as computer models), (2) begin assertive technology transfer and assist implementation by cost-shared feasibility studies and pilot-scale field tests/demonstrations, and (3) begin investigations of other promising STES technologies, such as ice storage, rock borehole, and earth STES. 3 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 6368767
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-16701; CONF-890351-2; ON: DE89009161
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Thermal energy storage program review, New Orleans, LA, USA, 15 Mar 1989; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Seasonal thermal energy storage. Program progress report, April 1979-December 1979
Energy and environmental issues of aquifer thermal energy storage
Related Subjects
14 SOLAR ENERGY
SEASONAL THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE
COOLING SYSTEMS
HEATING SYSTEMS
LOAD MANAGEMENT
OFF-PEAK ENERGY STORAGE
POWER DEMAND
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY SYSTEMS
HEAT STORAGE
MANAGEMENT
STORAGE
250600* - Energy Storage- Thermal
142000 - Solar Energy- Heat Storage- (1980-)