Geothermal energy and heat storage in aquifers

After the first energy crisis in 1973 various research programmes to do with energy conservation and diversification of energy resources were set up in the Netherlands. A number of these were directed to the rest of the subsoil for the following purposes: - the extraction of geothermal energy from great depths (1800-3000 m below surface); - the extraction of geothermal energy from shallow depths, using the heat pumps; - seasonal storage of heat and cold at shallow and intermediate depths ; - the storage of energy from power plants in caverns or porous bodies, e.g. compressed air in aquifers during daily periods of low consumption. These programmes were funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs and by the Commission of the European Community. During this technical meeting the results of investigations on geothermal energy extraction and heat storage in the subsoil will be presented. The subjects discussed will include the geohydrological boundary conditions, geological, geochemical and environmental aspects, the test facility that is being established on TNO premises in Delft and the results of a geothermal test well in Asten. Although the energy situation has changed considerably during the last years and instead of a shortage there now appears to be an energy surplus, it is most likely that the subjects discussed during this meeting remain topical. The main driving force may become the urgency to reduce carbon dioxide emission because of its environmental consequences