The URBAN ARENA Seasonal Heat Storage Vernetzungstreffen took place on 16–17 September 2025 in Berlin, Germany, bringing together experts working on seasonal heat storage and subsurface energy solutions. The networking event was organised by Projektträger Jülich, part of Forschungszentrum Jülich, and served as a platform for connecting research initiatives, funding bodies, and energy stakeholders focused on sustainable heating technologies.
Strengthening Collaboration in Seasonal Heat Storage
The INTERSTORES project was represented at the event by Peter Bayer and Christoph Bott from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). Although no formal presentation was delivered, the meeting offered valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge and build relationships with stakeholders active in the development of seasonal thermal energy storage (sTES) systems.
INTERSTORES was introduced during discussions with participants, allowing the project team to share insights on ongoing research and explore potential synergies with other initiatives and organisations working in the field.
Connecting Research, Industry, and Policy
The event gathered 70–100 participants, including representatives from the scientific community, industry actors, policy organisations, funding agencies, and municipal utilities. These discussions focused on advancing seasonal heat storage technologies and identifying opportunities for collaboration across projects and national initiatives.
As part of the programme, participants also visited the Adlershof Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) project in Berlin, providing practical insights into real-world applications of underground thermal energy storage technologies.
Expanding the INTERSTORES Network
Participation in the URBAN ARENA networking meeting enabled the INTERSTORES team to connect with key stakeholders involved in seasonal heat storage development and funding. Strengthening these relationships supports future collaboration and helps position INTERSTORES within a broader European ecosystem dedicated to sustainable and efficient thermal energy storage solutions.