BATTERY | 2022
WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL OF USING UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURES AS THERMAL BATTERIES?
The battery project aims to unravel the promise of using underground infrastructures, such as tunnels, parking garages, and metro stations, as means to store heating and cooling energy by harnessing geothermal heat exchange.
The project specifically focuses on the understanding of the energy, geotechnical, and structural performance of underground structures during thermal energy storage operations that can last from years to decades. This project promises to develop a novel approach to decarbonize energy systems and turn infrastructures into renewable energy sources and storage means for entire city districts, reducing energy imports and reliance on the grid.
Project team
 Alessandro F. Rotta Loria Assistant Professor |
 Annik Schaufelberger M.S. Student |
Project team
Alessandro F. Rotta Loria Assistant Professor |
Annik Schaufelberger M.S. Student |
Journal publications
→ Rotta Loria, A. F., Di Donna, A. and Zhang, M. (2022) Stresses and deformations caused by geothermal operations of energy tunnels. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 124 (June 2022): 104438.
→ Rotta Loria, A. F. (2021) The thermal energy storage potential of underground tunnels used as heat exchangers. Renewable Energy. 176: 214-227.
→ Dornberger, S., Rotta Loria, A. F., Epard, J.-L. and Turberg, P. (2021) Heat exchange potential of energy tunnels for different internal airflow characteristics. Geomechanics for Energy and the Environment. December: 100229.