Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage in Mersin Coastal Aquifer: A Pre-Feasibility Study

With the increasing awareness on environmental issues regarding the increasing greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and exploitation of earth’s resources due to the fossil fuel consumption, techniques on the utilization of renewable sources such as geothermal, solar and wind energy gained importance in recent years. Especially in the European Countries, there is an increasing amount of research on the utilization of heat potential available in shallow soils and aquifers in the recent decade. In this direction, Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Systems (ATES), one of the accepted underground thermal energy storage techniques, was considered as an alternative for sustainable energy supply. Application and use of ATES technique may lead to reduction in fossil fuel consumption by providing sustainable air conditioning in our buildings in association with seasonal underground heat storage. Within the scope of this study, the potential application of ATES technique in Mersin Coastal Aquifer located in the Mersin Province towards fulfilling air conditioning needs of the buildings around the region was investigated. For this purpose, results of previous numerical modeling and thermal performance studies on ATES technique were considered to evaluate the application potential of the mentioned technique.