May 2025
Storing heat in the subsurface can be done in several ways. High Temperature Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (HT-ATES) is one of them. With this technology, thermal energy (>60 °C) can be stored as well as produced. Storage is usually done in summer with injection of hot water into underground wells. That heat can later be utilised during colder periods.
A ‘ThermoGIS-HT-ATES’ application has been developed in WarmingUP theme 5 to map the potential of HT-ATES in the Netherlands. The current ThermoGIS application for geothermal energy was used as a basis for the calculations, by extending with extra calculations methods and models.
HTO potential Maassluis en Oosterhout Formation
Input maps not yet available in ThermoGIS
(Hydro-)geological maps such depth, thickness and permeability of aquifers (subsurface aquifers) are used as input for the calculation of HT-ATES potential. For HT-ATES, one typically looks at a depth between 100-500 metres, less deep than the current ThermoGIS aquifers. The formations that are also interesting for HT-ATES, such as the Maassluis and Oosterhout Formation, are not available in ThermoGIS, because the aquifers have not (yet) been mapped using the ThermoGIS workflow. Therefore, only the Brussels Sand Member (NLDOBR) is visible in the ThermoGIS-HT-ATES Mapviewer for the time being.
REGIS II v2.2 input maps used
To still provide insight into the HT-ATES potential of the Maassluis and Oosterhout Formation, potential maps have been made with input from the Regional Geohydrological Model REGIS II v2.2. These maps, based on interpolation between (shallow) wells, are less certain in places where few wells are available.
Work in ThermoGIS and WarmingUP GOO will include improving the moderately deep (~100-500m) regional hydrogeological models. These will eventually also be used for ThermoGIS-HT-ATES.
View the maps in the Storymap
The storymap below shows potential maps for four relevant sand layers in the Maassluis and Oosterhout Formations. Because the input maps were created in a different way compared to the maps in the ThermoGIS Mapviewer, they are shown separately on this page and are accompanied by explanations.
View the ArcGIS Storymap on a normal laptop screen (13-17 inches) for optimal user experience
Text continues below the Storymap
Future developments, help us!
Together with research partners, industry, governments and other interested parties, we are working on:
- mapping of moderately deep regional hydrogeological models;
- the addition of aquifers in ThermoGIS-HT-ATES;
- improving computational methods for HT-ATES (e.g. calculation methods for maximum flow rate);
- including uncertainty (P-values) in the potential maps;
- integrating a heat pump model to ThermoGIS-HT-ATES workflow;
- an interactive app where users can provide input for the creation of the potential maps.
Input is most welcome. You are therefore invited to contact TNO if you have any interest or ideas.
Relevant documentation and background information
The report explaining the ThermoGIS-HTO application and the example maps can be downloaded here: Vrijlandt at al. (2023). ThermoGIS-HTO: National High Temperature Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage potential tool.
The WINDOW phase 1 (predecessor of the WarmingUP project) report, with qualitative approach to HTO potential: Dinkelman et al. (2020). B2 potentieel en toepassingscondities. Geologisch model, temperatuurmodel voor de ondiepe ondergrond en potentieelkaarten voor HTO in Nederland.
Credits
M. Vrijlandt, H. Veldkamp, J. Mos, M. Koenen, H. Brett, M. Andova, E. De Boever, D. Dinkelman, Project team WarmingUP (GOO) en PIO Aardwarmte.
This project was carried out under the WarmingUP and PIO Geothermal Innovation Plan.
WarmingUP was made possible in part by funding from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) under the subsidy scheme Multi-Year Mission-Driven Innovation Programmes (MMIP RVO project number TEUE819001). WarmingUP fulfils MMIP-4 Sustainable heat and cold in the built environment, thus contributing to Mission B - A CO2-free built environment in 2050.
PIO Geothermal (Research and subsurface information provision via ThermoGIS.nl regarding national potential for geothermal energy and heat storage) is part of TNO-GDN task-funded programme for the Dutch government.
Contactperson
Do you have suggestions or questions about the ThermoGIS-HTO application or this page? Please get in touch via the contact form on this website.