ATESREF – Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage and re-injection using the Example of Fürstenfeld

To advance the complete decarbonization of the heating sector, bridging the temporal discrepancy between the often-fluctuating heat supply from renewable sources (e.g., solar thermal energy) and the high winter demand is essential. Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) offers an innovative and high-performance solution for the challenge of such energy storage. In this process, excess thermal energy generated, for example, in the summer, is stored in underground water-bearing layers (aquifers), making it available during the heating season when heat demand reaches its seasonal peak. ATES thus enables a reliable and climate-neutral heat supply across all seasons. However, to bring this technology to market maturity in Austria and commission the first ATES storage facility, targeted research and development steps are still necessary.

The ATESref project addresses these necessary research questions at the exemplary site of Fürstenfeld in the Styrian Basin. The work includes detailed geological research and the re-processing of seismic profiles to precisely determine the exact extent of potential storage horizons. Further focus areas include numerical modeling, the development of integration concepts for the local heating network, and the investigation of technical challenges such as re-injection processes and hydrogeochemical issues for stable and long-term operation. The project will conclude with a comprehensive legal, economic, and ecological evaluation aimed at creating the necessary framework conditions for the successful implementation of ATES in Austria.