HTO low-depth aquifers

Input maps not yet available in ThermoGIS

(Hydro)geological maps, such as those showing the depth, thickness, and permeability of aquifers (water-bearing layers in the subsurface), are used as input for calculating HTES potential. HTES applications typically focus on depths of 100-500 metres, which is shallower than the aquifers currently included in ThermoGIS.

Formations that are also considered promising for HTES, such as the Maassluis Formation and the Oosterhout Formation, are not yet available in ThermoGIS because these aquifers have not (yet) been mapped using the ThermoGIS methodology. As a result, only the Brussels Sand Member (NLDOBR) is currently displayed in the ThermoGIS HTES Map Viewer.

REGIS II v2.2 input maps used

To provide insight into the HTES potential of the Maassluis Formation and the Oosterhout Formation, potential maps have been produced using input data from the REGIS II v2.2 Regional Hydrogeological Model. These maps are based on interpolation between shallow boreholes and are therefore less certain in areas where limited borehole data are available.

Within ThermoGIS and WarmingUP GOO, efforts are underway to improve the regional hydrogeological models for intermediate depths (approximately 100-500 m). These improved models will ultimately also be used for ThermoGIS HTES.

Contribute to ThermoGIS HTES

• the mapping of regional hydrogeological models at intermediate depths;
• the addition of aquifers to ThermoGIS HTES;
• the improvement of HTES calculation methods (including rules of thumb for the maximum achievable flow rate);
• incorporating uncertainty estimates (P-values) into the potential maps;
• integrating a heat pump model into the ThermoGIS HTES workflow;
• developing an interactive application that allows users to provide input for the creation of potential maps.

Relevant documentation and background information

• Report explaining the ThermoGIS HTES application and the accompanying example maps can be downloaded here: Vrijlandt at al. (2023). ThermoGIS-HTO: National High Temperature Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage potential tool.
• The WINDOW Phase 1 report (the predecessor to the WarmingUP project), which presents a qualitative assessment of HTES potential, can be downloaded here: Dinkelman et al. (2020). B2 Potential and Application Conditions: Geological Model, Temperature Model for the Shallow Subsurface, and HTES Potential Maps for the Netherlands. (available in Dutch only)

Contact

Do you have any suggestions or questions about the ThermoGIS-HTO application or this page? If so, please get in touch with us via the contact form.

Credits

• _{M. Vrijlandt, H. Veldkamp, J. Mos, M. Koenen, H. Brett, M. Andova, E. De Boever, D. Dinkelman, the WarmingUP (GOO) Project Team, and PIO Geothermal Energy.}
• _{This project was carried out as part of the WarmingUP Innovation Programme and PIO Geothermal Energy.}
• _{WarmingUP was co-funded through a grant from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) under the Multi-Annual Mission-Driven Innovation Programmes (MMIP) funding scheme (RVO project number TEUE819001). WarmingUP contributes to MMIP-4: Sustainable Heating and Cooling in the Built Environment, thereby supporting Mission B: A CO₂-free Built Environment by 2050.}
• _{PIO Geothermal Energy (Research and Subsurface Information Provision through ThermoGIS.nl with regard to national potential for geothermal energy and thermal energy storage) forms part of the TNO Geological Survey of the Netherlands (TNO-GDN) task-funded programme for the Dutch government.}