Life cycle analysis of underground thermal energy storage

Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) systems are used to buffer the seasonal difference between heat and cold supply and demand and, therefore, represent an interesting option to conserve energy. Even though UTES are considered environmental friendly solutions they are not completely free of impacts on the environment in general and the subsurface in particular. In order to improve the understanding and knowledge on the environmental performance of UTES techniques, this study performed a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on two different UTES systems: Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) and Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES)