The Department of Applied Geology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), presented three scientific contributions directly connected to INTERSTORES research:
Environmental Impact and Optimisation Potential of sTES Construction
Authors: Jenny Weise, Christoph Bott, Kathrin Menberg, Peter Bayer
The study presented a detailed life-cycle assessment (LCA) of several seasonal thermal energy storage systems – tank (TTES), pit (PTES), and water-gravel (WGTES) storages -highlighting that construction-phase emissions can range from 1.4 to 29.4 g CO₂-eq/kWhₜₕ. The research identified clear optimisation potentials by reducing the use of concrete, steel, and foam glass gravel, and emphasised sustainable alternatives and underground construction techniques.
Full paper and presentation
Geothermal Trenches for Utilisation of Shallow Ground Resources
Authors: Christoph Bott, David Hoffmann, Adinda van de Ven, Roland Koenigsdorff, Peter Bayer
The presentation introduced – compact, linear heat-exchange systems installed at shallow depths – as a promising approach for urban heat recovery and reuse of waste heat. Using both analytical and numerical models, the team demonstrated how such systems can improve storage efficiency and contain thermal plumes when integrated with water-gravel sTES at the INTERSTORES Reno-sTES demo site in Ingolstadt.
Highlights and Challenges in Ongoing EU Horizon Europe UTES Projects
Particpants: Peter Bayer (INTERSTORES, MLU), Abdulrahman Dahash (INTERSTORES, AIT), Martin Bloemendal (PUSH-IT), Silvia Trevisan (USES4HEAT), Wim van Helden (TREASURE), Connie Ocando (USES4HEAT), Serge Santoo (PUSH-IT)
In this joint session, Prof. Bayer led a discussion on shared challenges in Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) research – from model validation and data standardisation to policy and market uptake. The panel fostered collaboration between Europe’s leading UTES initiatives.
Impact and Collaboration
The event underlined the growing importance of environmentally efficient seasonal storage as a pillar of Europe’s climate-neutral energy system. INTERSTORES’ contributions showcased how interdisciplinary research – from environmental analysis to subsurface modelling – can accelerate sustainable deployment of thermal energy storage technologies.
We thank Prof. Peter Bayer and the MLU team for their outstanding representation of the INTERSTORES project and for strengthening connections with partner projects TREASURE, USES4HEAT, PUSH-IT.
📍 Event: European Geothermal Congress 2025 (EGC2025)
📅 Date: 6–10 October 2025
📍 Location: Zurich, Switzerland
