90
kreon
91
kreon
aquifer
heat-exchanger
heatpump
aquifer
heat-exchanger
heatpump
Project Kreon HQ
Architect Kreon
Location Opglabbeek, Belgium
Photographer Serge Brison
Aquifer seasonal thermal energy storage
Aquifer seasonal thermal energy storage is an innovative way to store thermal energy using an
open-loop in an available underground aquifer. It relies on seasonal storage of cold and warm
energy in the water of the aquifer.
Two thermal wells are installed, one is used for cold storage while the other is used for hot
storage. The wells are linked to a ground-source heat pump through a heat-exchanger.
A heat-exchanger separates ground water from the water in the installation, protecting the
installation against dirt and oxygen penetration while protecting the wells from being polluted
by the installation.
During summer, cold water is pumped up to cool down the building. The excess heat is
extracted from the building and pumped into the hot storage well. In winter, hot water is
pumped up to heat up the building. The cold water, returning from the heat pump, is pumped
into the cold storage well. This cycle is repeated seasonally.
In order to improve the overall energy efficiency of the building, Kreon uses this technology in
the new HQ to reduce the energy expense more than 60 times over a traditional HVAC system.
Climate ceiling
