Seasonal thermal energy storage. Program progress report, April 1979-December 1979

The objective of the Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage (STES) Program is to demonstrate the economic storage and retrieval of thermal energy on a seasonal basis, using heat or cold available from waste sources or other sources during a surplus period to reduce peak period demand, reduce electric utilities peaking problems, and contribute to the establishment of favorable economics for district heating and cooling systems for commercialization of the technology. The initial thrust of the STES Program is toward utilization of ground-water systems (aquifers) for thermal energy storage. The program has the further objective of evaluating other methods of seasonal storage, both from existing literature and by following current work in other countries. The STES Program is divided into an Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) Demonstration Task for demonstrating the commercialization potential of aquifer thermal energy storage technology using an integrated system approach to multiple demonstration projects and a parallel Technical Support Task designed to provide support to the overall STES Program, and to reduce technological and institutional barriers to the development of energy storage systems prior to significant investment in demonstration or commercial facilities. During this initial STES program reporting period, program plans were completed, and the Work Breadkdown Structure, budget, schedules, and reporting/review procedures were developed. Responsibility was assumed for existing, ongoing STES contracts and projects