2. ATES = Aquifer Thermal Energy System
Principle Dutch style ATES, characteristics:
o Closed system
100 % extraction = 100% injection (= no loss of ground water)
air tight, over pressure (= no chemical disorder)
o Using the outside air temperature (seasons)
o Using the natural underground water layers (aquifer)
4. ATES - in the Netherlands
Since 1989, commercial IF Technology (IF) projects
IF: over 20 years experiences and over 1,300 projects
IF ATES projects in the Netherlands approx. 50 IF ATES projects in and around Amsterdam
5. ATES – system set up
Well doublet: a pair of 1 warm well
and 1 accompanying cold well
Entire ATES system with circuit temperature sensor
PT
TT
heat exchanger
FT
TT circuit flowsensor
circuit pressure sensor
PT
several separated doublet systems LT
injection valve level sensor
LT
submersible pump
cold well
(coupled in cooling system)
warm well
TT
heat exchanger TT circuit flowsensor
circuit temperature sensor
FT circuit pressure sensor
PT PT
injection valve level sensor
LT LT
submersible pump
cold well warm well
TT
heat exchanger TT circuit flowsensor
circuit temperature sensor
FT circuit pressure sensor
PT PT
injection valve level sensor
LT LT
submersible pump
cold well warm well
6. Reliability of ATES
ATES = proven technology -> implemented by experts
Important conditions:
o Total energy concept (integral system)
Energy / load values
Energy balance
– Cooling system = Master
– ATES = Slave
o Support of specialists during all phases of project
Design, construction phase, permits, etc.…
7. Reliability of ATES
Problems/failures:
o Trap: ATES looks like very simple; it is not
o No real experts/professionals involved
Engineering
Construction
Maintenance
Permits
-> Using different (lower quality) standards
-> Not as a result of energy concept and/or ATES
8. Legislation and regulations
Groundwater authority: Province
Water act (WaterWet)
o Protected area (eg geological monument)
o Ground water protection zone (eg drinking water)
o Site survey
Nature, sensitive area
Interferences, pollution
Municipality
Water board
9. ATES systems
Key words
o Robust
o Reliable
o Safe/protected
-> Just technical solutions !
o Engineering
o (innovative) thinking
o Points of attention
10. ATES points of attention (1)
Redundancy
Hydraulic effects
Interference
Routing in terrain
Split system
(n+1)
Anticipate/discuss requirements of client & system
11. ATES points of attention (2)
Proven ATES components
o MTBF
o MTBR
Use high (not standard) quality and design standards
Safeguards
Data loggers /system monitoring
Energy efficient components (electrical and thermal)
12. ATES points of attention (3)
Quick response / start up
Tailor made system
o Amsterdam:
High water table
Artesian water
Drilling
Telescopic well head
13. Summary
ATES is reliable when:
o Use reliable and professional partners
Consultants
Contractors
Suppliers
o Project organization & clear roles
o During all project phases
14. Fairy tales
The deep underground is a mystery
Flow capacity is not guaranteed
Wells are clogging
Drilling depths is uncertain
Bursting of soil layers
….