Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 58 No. 2 (June 2021)
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Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage System of Low GWP
Turbo Heat Pump Utilizing Unused Energy

LINRI CUI*1

MASANOBU SAKAI*2

SATOSHI NIKAIDO*3

TORU YAMAGUCHI*3

KENJI UEDA*4

Groundwater, which lies in abundance beneath our feet, is retained in a geologicalformation called an aquifer made of materials such as sand and gravel. Compared with the outside
air temperature, groundwater is warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Because of thisdifference in temperature, it is of high value as a heat/cold source, but this energy has been
unused. In air conditioning systems known as aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) systems,
aquifers are used as if they were large heat/cold storage tanks. Using a centrifugal heat pump,waste heat produced during cooling operations and waste cold during heating operations are
stored in aquifers. This enables the former to be effectively used for heating and the latter forcooling in different seasons. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd. developed aheating/cooling system that uses a high-efficiency centrifugal heat pump suitable for ATES systems
and an energy management optimization control system.

|1. Introduction
In Japan, most of the urban areas with a high energy demand density are located in alluvial
plains. Underneath lie aquifers that are very valuable for thermal utilization. However, as thepumping of groundwater entails the risk of subsidence, restrictions on groundwater pumping are
imposed in many areas and aquifers have remained unused. In ATES systems, since all theextracted groundwater is injected back immediately after being used as a heat/cold source, the riskof subsidence can be minimized. Using aquifers as if they were large heat/cold storage tanks makes
it possible for thermal energy to be used more effectively, by storing waste heat produced duringcooling operations and waste cold during heating operations and by utilizing the former for heating
and the latter for cooling in different seasons. Therefore, ATES systems can be expected to beeffective in conserving energy, reducing CO2 emissions, mitigating the heat island effect andcurbing global warming.
In the Netherlands(1), the introduction of ATES systems has seen rapid progress since 2000
and more than 2,000 ATES plants are currently operating. In China(2), with increasing attention inrecent years, ATES systems have also begun to be widely introduced. In Japan, however, ATES
systems are still unfamiliar to the public and have yet to be extensively applied.
While summarizing ATES systems in terms of definition, configuration and advantages, aswell as basic operation patterns, this report also presents the ATES systems that we haveconstructed and the optimization control system.

|2. What is an ATES system?
2.1

Definition of aquifer

An aquifer is an underground geological formation that retains groundwater. It usually refers
to a porous layer of sand and gravel, sandwiched between layers of impermeable materials such as*1

Chiller & Heat Pump Engineering Department, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd.

*2

Sales Department, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd.

*3

Manager, Chiller & Heat Pump Engineering Department, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd.

*4

Director, Chiller & Heat Pump Engineering Department, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd.

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clay (through which water is unlikely to flow). Aquifers have permeability high enough to secure
the necessary supply of water from the well and can be used as a medium to store thermal energy if
the flow of groundwater is slow.

2.2

ATES system configuration

As shown in Figure 1, ATES systems use groundwater, which is retained in an aquifer, as aheat/cold source for purposes such as building air conditioning and are comprised of the centrifugal
heat pump, hot/cold water pump, coolant pump (heat/cold source water pump), well pumps,
cooling tower water pump, paired warm/cold wells and their connecting pipes, heat exchanger,
expansion tank, auxiliary devices and controllers.

Figure 1

2.3

Outline of ATES system

ATES system advantages

The advantages of ATES are as follows.
Stable groundwater temperature
The groundwater at 15 to 20 m below the ground or deeper is hardly affected by theoutside air temperature and that the groundwater temperature is stable throughout the year.
Therefore, it is proved to be suitable for use as a heat/cold source water (Figure 2(3)).
(2) Energy saving
By storing heat energy during cooling operations and cold energy during heating
operations in an aquifer, the gap between the starting temperature and the set temperature levelfor cooling or heating becomes smaller. Thus, a considerable energy-saving effect can berealized throughout the year. Figure 3 depicts power consumption with the use of the ATES
system.
(3) Effective use of thermal energy (seasonal thermal energy storage and utilization)
By switching the groundwater pumps between winter and summer, waste cold during(1)Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 58 No. 2 (June 2021)
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heating operations in winter can be used for cooling next summer. Likewise, waste heat duringcooling operations in summer can be used for heating next winter. This enables more effective
use of thermal energy (Figure 4).
(4) Reduction of annual operating costs
Compared with a conventional air conditioning system with an air source heat pump, an
ATES system can reduce the power consumption by about 38% while also reducing CO2
emissions. Figure 5 compares the annual operating cost of an ATES system with othersystems(4).

Figure 2

Temporal change of groundwater temperature distribution

Figure 3

Illustration of power consumption in the case of using ATES system

Figure 4

Illustration of seasonal buffering using heat/cold storageMitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 58 No. 2 (June 2021)
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Figure 5Comparison of annual operating costs|3. Basic operation method of ATES system
By simply using geothermal heat/cold as shown in Figure 6 without considering thedifference in air conditioning load (heat amount) between summer and winter, the sustainableutilization of geothermal heat/cold cannot be realized, because the resulting imbalance of heatamount between the cold water load and the hot water load causes the heat/cold storage mass ofwaste heat or waste cold to continuously expand. Therefore, by applying the ATES system
operation method shown in Figure 6 and automatically combining the system flows using our
proprietary energy management optimization control system dedicated to the ATES system, theimbalance of the air conditioning heat amount and the amount of water used between summer andwinter is eliminated and the sustainable utilization of geothermal heat/cold is realized.
No. 1: Heating and cold storage with cold water in winterThis is an operation mode in which the groundwater in the warm well is used as heat source
water for the centrifugal heat pump and the waste heat of the heat pump is used as heat energy forheating. At the same time as heating in winter, cold is stored in preparation for cooling in summer
by automatic control of constant-temperature cold water injection into the cold well.
No. 2: Cold storage with cooling tower in winterThis is an operation mode in which cold is stored in the cold well using the cold water cooled
by a cooling tower. When the outside air temperature is sufficiently low and cold water colder than
the required low temperature of the system can be obtained by the cooling tower, the cold storage
operation using the cold water cooled by the cooling tower is automatically performed to store cold
in preparation for cooling in summer.
No. 3: Cold storage with centrifugal heat pump in winterThis is an operation mode in which cold is stored in the cold well using a centrifugal heatpump. Cold is stored in preparation for cooling in summer and the waste heat of the heat pump is
cooled by the cooling tower. This operation mode positively utilizes the characteristics of an
inverter centrifugal heat pump, greatly improving its performance when the outside air temperature
is low.
The No. 2 and No. 3 operation modes are cold storage operation modes aimed at eliminating
the imbalance of heat load (heat amount) in summer and winter. The power consumption of eachmode is compared according to the conditions of outside air temperature and humidity and theoperation mode with the lower power consumption is automatically selected.
No. 4: Cooling and heat storage with hot water in summer
This is an operation mode in which the groundwater in the cold well is used as cooling water
for the centrifugal heat pump to perform cooling in summer. At the same time, heat is stored in
preparation for heating in winter by automatic control of constant-temperature hot water injection

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into the warm well.

Figure 6

Basic operation methods of ATES system|4. Examples of ATES system
We have constructed four ATES systems so far. We conducted demonstration tests andsubsurface investigations for ATES systems and introduced them to regularly-used air conditioning
equipment as a subsidized project. This chapter presents ATES system examples including thetechnical knowledge obtained from the introduced air conditioning equipment.

4.1

Takasago Machinery Works, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

(a)

Overview
We constructed Japan’s first large-scale ATES system using a centrifugal heat pump as aheat source at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Takasago Machinery Works in 2016, carried out thedemonstration test for about two years from the warm/cold well excavation work to the final
heating and cooling demonstration test and supplied heating and cooling to a factory with abuilding area of 4,000 m2. Figure 7 shows the overall layout and Figure 8 depicts the overall
equipment flow diagram. This system uses a primary pump system that supplies cold and hot
water to the air conditioning load side using a heat source water pump.
(b) Construction of warm/cold wellIn this demonstration test, we constructed warm/cold wells for the ATES system thatallow water pumping/injection of 108 m3/h in an area with high groundwater salt and ironconcentrations using the newly-developed reverse return airlift excavation method*1.
*1: Reverse return airlift: A method of borehole excavation without casing that drills the ground by rotatinga drilling bit, sucks up and discharges earth and sand together with the water in the hole and protects thehole wall with the hydrostatic pressure of the water.

In the initial state after drilling, the water level drops of warm/cold wells 1 and 2 were 5.0
m and 1.6 m, respectively, at a pumping volume of 60 m3/h. One year after the start ofoperation, the water level drops of warm/cold wells 1 and 2 were 5.3 m and 1.2 m, respectively,
at a pumping volume of 60 m3/h, which indicates that no clogging occurred and the warm/cold
well performance could be maintained.

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Figure 7

Overall layout

Figure 8

Overall equipment flow diagram

(c)

Other
We had a hard time with the excavation method when constructing this demonstration test,
but we finally reconsidered the excavation method and were able to operate the system with the
excavated wells for one year.
(d) Overall equipment performance evaluation
Table 1 lists the actual data of the full-year performance results.
1. During the operation period of heating and cold storage with cold water in winter, theannual average COP of the centrifugal heat pump alone was 3.8 and the annual average
COP of the heating system was 3.3.
2. When the cold was stored using cold water produced at the same time as heating and thenused directly for cooling during the cooling period (without using the centrifugal heatpump), the annual average COP of the cooling system was 48.3.
3. When the heat source water was used during the operation period of cooling and heatstorage with hot water in summer, the annual average COP of the centrifugal heat pumpalone was 9.4 and the annual average COP of the cooling system was 6.1.
4. The full-year average COP of the heating and cooling system was 3.8. Further improvement

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in efficiency can be expected if these operation modes are switched at an appropriate timeand operated at an appropriate temperature and flow rate.
Table 1 Actual data of full-year performance results
Item
Operation period

4.2
(a)

Heating and cold
storage with cold waterin winterFebruary 2 to March 9

June 7 to July 20

Cooling and heatstorage with hot waterin summer
July 27 to September 22

Direct use in summer

Actual operating days

25 days

36 days

41 days

Average pumping water temperature [°C]

17.8

9.1

14.9

Average injection water temperature [°C]

6.5

17.6

22.7

Annual factory load [MWh]Annual cold storage with cold water[MWh]Annual heat storage with hot water [MWh]Annual power consumption of chiller[MWh]Annual total power consumption ofequipment [MWh]Annual average COP of centrifugal heatpump alone
Annual average COP of cooling system

122.0

87.1

184.7

90.7

-

-

-

98.4

207.1

31.7

-

19.7

36.7

1.8

30.1

3.8

-

9.4

-

48.3

6.1

Annual average COP of heating system
Full-year average COP of heating andcooling system

3.3

-

-

3.8

Osaka Umekita area

Overview
The Osaka Umekita area is within the restricted area of the Law Concerning theRegulation of Pumping-up of Ground Water for Use in Buildings, so the heat source watercannot be used for buildings. We conducted a two-year demonstration test to verify the groundsubsidence suppression effect of the ATES system and the effectiveness of clogging evaluation,etc.
(b) Construction of warm/cold well
Utilizing our experience with the excavation method described in 4-1, we constructed
warm/cold wells that allow water pumping/injection of 100 m3/h. Through the operation ofthese warm/cold wells, it was proved that the aquifer in Osaka city (alluvial plain) can beutilized for ATES systems without any issues.
(c) Performance evaluation of warm/cold well
We carried out various pumping/returning operations at a maximum of rate of 100 m3/h
for up to 4 consecutive months in the Osaka Umekita area. In this project, we confirmed theprogress of the clogging of the wells and examined recovery measures, while also observing
changes in the ground height due to changes in the water level and evaluated the effects.
Regarding the subsidence, it was proved by the actual result data that the influence of thegroundwater fluctuation on the clay layer was within the range of the elastic change during theentire operation period of 4 months. As a result of examining the impact on the surrounding
ground environment, it was confirmed that subsidence does not occur in the densely pressurized
ground.
Clogging is considered a critical issue for ATES systems. In about 4 months ofcontinuous operation in the demonstration test, signs of clogging began to gradually appear. On
June 18, 2018, during the demonstration test, the Northern Osaka Earthquake with a seismic
intensity of 6-minus on the Japanese seismic scale of zero to 7 occurred and the clogging
further progressed as a result. For this reason, well cleaning was carried out when the ratio ofthe drop in water level to the amount of pumped water, which is an index of the well
performance, lowered to about 70% of the initial value. As a result, the initial well performance
was restored. No defects were found in the well structure due to the earthquake and there were
no problems with subsequent operations, which verified that the well structure was robust
against earthquakes.

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4.3

Kobe Shipyard, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

(a)

Overview
We installed an ATES system at our centrifugal chiller manufacturing shop in Kobe
Shipyard in 2018 using subsidies such as the Ministry of the Environment’s FY2018 Carbon
Dioxide Emission Control Project Costs. The system has been providing heating and cooling of
the shop with a building area of 4,000 m2.
(b) Construction of warm/cold well
For this system, warm/cold wells that allow pumping of the groundwater at a rate of3
60m /h were planned as a result of the survey prior to boring. However, the pumping amountallowed for one of the warm/cold wells was about half of the planned amount. As acountermeasure, a new ATES system was constructed using three warm/cold wells as shown in
Figure 9 and an amount of pumping/injection water sufficient for shop heating and cooling has
been secured. As a cause, it was considered that a branched fault structure of the Osaka Bay
fault passes through the Wadamisaki region in Kobe where this ATES was constructed and theaquifer is not distributed horizontally at a certain altitude by the effect of the fault.
(c) Performance evaluation of warm/cold well
Two years have passed since the system started operation, but it has been operating
without any problems until now and the effects of subsidence, clogging, etc., have not beenfound.
With this ATES system, which is used for regular heating and cooling equipment, we
will evaluate the heat source performance during long-term operation and verify maintenancemethods, as well as continue to accumulate expertise on warm/cold wells.
(d) Other
Construction of an ATES system in an area with complex ground requires carefulplanning after a thorough subsurface investigation.

Figure 9 Illustration of three wells construction

4.4
(a)

Amity Maishima

Overview
We installed an ATES system at Osaka City MAISHIMA Sports Center for Persons with
Disabilities (Amity Maishima) in Maishima, Osaka city as a consignment of the FY2018
Development and Demonstration Project of Technologies for Guiding the Strengthening of
Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction Measures. We conducted the demonstration test until
March 2021 and will start actual operations in April 2021.
(b) Construction of warm/cold wellSince Maishima is reclaimed land, slag was generated when the wells were constructed,
so it was necessary to change the construction method on the fly. However, we constructed
warm/cold wells that allow pumping/injection of the water from/to the two upper and lower
aquifers at a rate of 100 m3/h each, in one heat source well for the first time in the world.
Data of the actual results are currently being verified.
(c) Performance evaluation of warm/cold well
Data of the actual results are currently being verified.

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(d)

Other
The Osaka city area has high potential for ATES-based cooling/heating. The potential
map is published on the Osaka City website*2. Osaka City plans to use the demonstration resultsin Umekita and Maishima to expand the introduction of ATES systems in the city area in the
future.

*2: Potential map https://www.mapnavi.city.osaka.lg.jp/osakacity/Portal|5. Conclusion
We have gained a lot of design, construction and operation expertise from the four ATES
system cases and accumulated data. Furthermore, we have developed an optimal automatic control
system for ATES systems toward practical use. In the future, we will create an aquifer potential
map for all of Japan and encourage local governments in the applicable areas to adopt ATES
systems in order to expand this project.
Moreover, we will invite many people to observe the ATES systems constructed in ourcompany and highlight their superiority. We will also continue to study appropriate wellmanagement through long-term operation of ATES systems and based on the knowledge obtained,
we will make efforts so that customers can use the system with peace of mind.

References
(1)

(2)
(3)

(4)

Yasuhisa Nakaso, Satoru Kuronuma, et al., Outline of Research on Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage andPresent State of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Developed Country Netherlands, Japanese Associationof Groundwater Hydrology, 2013 Autumn Meeting (Akita)，Oct. 2013
Xiaobo Wu, Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Technology and Its Development in China,1999
Hirotaka Arimoto, Koichi Kitaoka, et al., Actual States of Subsurface Warming in the Central Area of
Osaka City, Symposium on Groundwater and Ground Environment, Disaster Prevention andMeasurement Technology，Nov. 2019
Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage System Project Formation Investigation Result Report, FY 2013
Advanced Integrated System Demonstration Project Utilizing Renewable Energy Heat, Project Forming
Research Project for Advanced Integrated System Utilizing Renewable Energy Heat, Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries Ltd. , Feb. 2014