The 'ThermoGIS-HT-ATES' application was developed in WarmingUP Theme 5 to map the potential of high-temperature aquifer thermal energy storage in the Dutch subsurface. The ThermoGIS application for geothermal energy was used as a basis for the calculations and adapted to what is needed for HT-ATES.
Hydrogeological models form the basis of the calculations. These models provide input maps of thickness, depth and relevant parameters such as permeability and temperature of the available aquifers. The maximum flow rate per well, with a lack of definition within the current laws and regulations, is determined using four different standards (the NVOE extraction standard, NVOE injection standard, the Olsthoorn standard for injection pressure and the SodM protocol for maximum injection pressure). More information on the flow calculations can be found on the New Developments - HT-ATES page. For each grid cell, the most conservative value is then used. Using a ROSIM-DoubletCalc3D simulation, the Technical model is first used to calculate the technical feasibility (flow, power, energy, recovery efficiency) per 1 x 1 km grid cell Economic model is then used to estimate the economic potential.
The maps showing the potential for HT-ATES are independent of the heat source. Geothermal energy is a suitable heat source for HT-ATES, but this is not included in the HT-ATES maps. If you want to see where there is both geothermal and HT-ATES potential, the geothermal potential maps and HT-ATES potential maps can be overlaid.
In the Mapviewer, the Brussels Sand Member is currently the only aquifer for which HT-ATES potential has been calculated. This is because this is the only relatively shallow, and potentially suitable, formation included in ThermoGIS that can be used for HT-ATES. If other aquifers from the North Sea Group are added to ThermoGIS, the HT-ATES potential will also be calculated.