Progress in seasonal thermal-energy storage

Conference · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6626147

Allen, R D; Raymond, J R

The Department of Energy's Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage (STES) Program was conceived to develop technology for economic storage and retrieval of sensible heat or cold available from cogeneration, by-product or natural sources during surplus periods to partially or wholly satisfy later demands. These potential sources include heat from combustion, nuclear and solar plants and cold from the atmosphere. Utilization could reduce electricity generation peaks and supply heat sources and sinks for district heating and cooling systems. The initial thrust is toward hot and cold water storage within subterranean ground-water reservoir (aquifers). Other objectives include evaluating non-aquifer alternatives for sensible thermal storage such as lakes, mines, caves, quarries, tanks and ice storage facilities. The STES program comprises continuous literature review and appraisal, field testing, numerical modeling and geochemical experiments. Aquifer behavior is being studied at sites in Mobile, Alabama and St. Paul, Minnesota. The experiments are determining recovery efficiency, hydraulic behavior, geochemical reactions, parameters of system heat transfer, and long-term reliability. The concept shows exceptional promise for lowering energy costs in regions with climatic extremes.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6626147
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-10676; CONF-821213-1; ON: DE83002693
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250600* -- Energy Storage-- Thermal
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290700 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Transport & Storage
AQUIFERS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUIPMENT
HEAT STORAGE
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SEASONAL THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE
STORAGE
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TEST FACILITIES
TESTING
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS