Soil energy storage methods

Can soil and groundwater be used for heat storage?

Using soil and groundwater for heat storage offers an opportunity to increase the potential for renewable energy sources. For example, solar heating in combination with high temperature storage, e.g., using ducts in the ground, has the potential of becoming an environment friendly and economically competitive form of heat supply.

Does soil thermal conductivity affect borehole thermal energy storage?

Core Ideas Borehole thermal energy storage is studied with a 3D transient fluid flow and heat transfer model. BTES heat extraction efficiency increases with decreasing soil thermal conductivity. BT...

What are the different types of thermal energy storage systems?

Classification of thermal energy storage systems based on the energy storage material. Sensible liquid storage includes aquifer TES, hot water TES, gravel-water TES, cavern TES, and molten-salt TES. Sensible solid storage includes borehole TES and packed-bed TES.

Why are borehole thermal energy storage systems located in unsaturated zones?

Borehole thermal energy storage systems are probably located in unsaturated zones, in part to take advantage of the lower thermal conductivity with degree of saturation (Smits et al., 2013).

How is thermal energy added to a storage tank/store buried underground?

Thermal energy is added to or removed from the insulated tank/store buried underground by pumping water into or out of the storage unit. Excess heat is used to heat up the water inside the storage tank during the charging cycle. Hot water is taken from the top of the insulated tank/store and used for heating purpose during the discharging cycle.

Does soil have microbial storage?

Occasional studies across more than four decades have accumulated evidence of microbial storage in soil, although sustained research has been lacking. Soils have proven to be rich sources of organisms that produce TAG, PHB, or wax esters . Out of 73 bacterial isolates from a temperate clay-loam soil, 23 were found to produce PHB .