The use of aquifers for storage of thermal energy implies a use of both the thermal storage capacity of ground water as well as that of the water-saturated rock. Both heat and cold can be stored. The storage capacity of an aquifer is large compared to other thermal storage systems due its large mass. For this reason, aquifers are often used for seasonal or long-term energy storage.

In the framework of this research project a site independent design-method shall be developed to enable reliable and efficient planning of thermal aquifer storage systems and consequently to contribute to future development of this technology. Here, the principle goals are the development of models for a reliable integration of aquifer systems, advancements of related plant technology for heat transformation as well as the optimization of energetic efficiency of the overall system.

The developed planning method shall be evaluated and improved with the help of a practical example by which, also, potential aquifer damage due to long-term permeability changes can be investigated experimentally. Here, it is intended to develop an energy concept with seasonal energy storage for the campus of TU and UdK Berlin. Ultimately, the applicability of this concept shall be economically and technically tested and evaluated.

This joint project (GFZ, TU Berlin, and UdK Berlin) is divided into four work packages:

1. Integration of aquifer systems and overall system analysis (GFZ),
2. Aquifer storage systems (GFZ, TU Berlin),
3. Energy systems technology (TU Berlin),
4. Buildings and urban districts (UdK Berlin).

The project is coordinated by GFZ and funded by the "Energy Storage Funding Initiative".