Challenges and Opportunities for Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) in EU Energy Transition Efforts—An Overview

Katarina Marojević, Tomislav Kurevija () and Marija Macenić
Additional contact information
Katarina Marojević: Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Kurevija: Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Marija Macenić: Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-25

Abstract: Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) systems are a promising solution for sustainable energy storage, leveraging underground aquifers to store and retrieve thermal energy for heating and cooling. As the global energy sector faces rising energy demands, climate change, and the depletion of fossil fuels, transitioning to renewable energy sources is imperative. ATES systems contribute to these efforts by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving energy efficiency. This review uses the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) methodology as a systematic approach to collect and analyze relevant literature. It highlights trends, gaps, and advancements in ATES systems, focusing on simulation methods, environmental impacts, and economic feasibility. Tools like MODFLOW, FEFLOW, and COMSOL Multiphysics are emphasized for optimizing design and system performance. Europe is identified as a continent with the most favorable predispositions for ATES implementation due to its diverse and abundant aquifer systems, strong policy frameworks supporting renewable energy, and advancements in subsurface energy technologies.

Keywords: aquifer thermal energy storage; review; PRISMA; Europe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/1001/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/1001/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:4:p:1001-:d:1594512

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().