Contaminant spreading in areas with a high density of Seasonal Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (SATES) systems : describing and quantifying the causes and consequences of spreading by SATES systems in the Dutch subsurface

“Seasonal Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (SATES) is an increasingly popular type of renewable energy. Hereby summer heat and winter cold is stored in the subsurface for use in the opposite seasons. SATES systems are realized in high density in urban areas, where large amounts of contaminants are present. It is not fully understood to what extent interactions between the different SATES systems cause spreading of contaminants and to what extent SATES systems are a threat for the water quality, as groundwater protection zones are often present close by the urban area. In this study, analytical solutions, a theoretical model and a case study model of the city of Utrecht are used to describe, quantify and explain contaminant spreading in a high density SATES system area. Furthermore, these results are used to place the effects it in a regional perspective.”

(Citaat: Phernambucq, I.H. – Contaminant spreading in areas with a high density of Seasonal Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (SATES) systems: describing and quantifying the causes and consequences of spreading by SATES systems in the Dutch subsurface – Studentenverslag Universiteit Utrecht, KWR (2015))