push-it thermalstorage – PUSH-IT

decarbonizing
heat systems

Project PUSH-IT

Piloting Underground Storage of Heat In geoThermal reservoirs

PUSH-IT’s ambition is to overcome the seasonal mismatch between heat demand and heat generation from sustainable sources using underground heat storage. The EU-funded project focusses on three innovative technologies for high-temperature heat storage, as well as enabling technologies, societal engagement, and governance, policies and business models.

The goal is to develop this missing link in heat networks as a safe, reliable, affordable, and economically viable solution that fits existing and future regulatory frameworks. This contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving a net-zero carbon economy and society in Europe by 2050.

The pilots

PUSH-IT will demonstrate full-scale implementation of heat storage in geothermal reservoirs at three demo-sites: Delft (Netherlands), Darmstadt (Germany) and Bochum (Germany). Next to these key demo-sites, three ‘follower’ locations for future pilots are Berlin (Germany), Litomĕřice (Czechia) and United Downs (United Kingdom). At these sites, we will address specific local technical and societal challenges and engage local stakeholders. We will translate our findings into solutions that can be applied to heat storage systems across Europe.

The technologies

Explanation about ATES, BTES en MTES

Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) is the storage and recovery of thermal energy in aquifers, which are permeable layers that contain groundwater.

Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) is a large, underground heat exchanger. A BTES system consists of a set of tubes installed in the underground, placed vertically in a borehole.

Mine Thermal Energy Storage (MTES) uses the mine water present in abandoned mines as a carrier for transporting heat.

The topics

Social engagement, societal benefits, and risk and regulations

will be addressed to ensure public understanding and support and speed up market upscaling of heat storage.

Optimal system integration & control

will be developed to reduce costs, ensure environmental protection and achieve better integration of sustainable heat in the energy system.

Enabling technologies

and good practices will be employed to improve performance, safety and realisation of heat storage.

News

Delegates working on underground tiles

Engagement

Creative Engagement for Underground Thermal Energy Storage

“We chose creative and playful approaches because they offer accessible and enjoyable ways to explore complex and unfamiliar issues.” Dr. Merryn Thomas talks about new and innovative methods to engage with stakeholders. Public engagement is essential to ensure that technologies like Underground Energy Storage (UTES) are accepted, fair and legitimate. But for many of us, UTES is invisible and unfamiliar.

December 20, 2024

cornwall building site UK United Down Geothermal Well

Development & Realisation

Geothermal Well at Cornwall Site due to complete in early 2025

About Technologies ATES BTES MTES Topics Social engagement Optimal system integration Enabling technologies Pilots Bochum

December 18, 2024

A picture showing seven members of the author team.

Engagement

PUSH-IT and European experts call for early, community-centric engagement in geothermal projects.

Policymakers and the geothermal sector should do more to include local communities in energy decision-making. This is what an interdisciplinary group of researchers recommend in a newly published chapter. They argue that inclusive, early and continuous societal engagement should be prioritised to maximise the benefits of geothermal technologies.

November 14, 2024

Feel free to contact us

PUSH-IT is a project funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101096566.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.