Different operational alternatives of aquifer thermal energy storage system for cooling and heating of a residential complex under various climatic conditions in Iran

In this research, a confined aquifer with low groundwater flow was considered to meet the cooling and heating requirement of residential complexes. The complexes were located in the cities of Ahvaz, Ardabil, Bandar Abbas, Esfahan, Kerman, Rasht, Tehran and Zahedan. The complex in Ardabil required mostly heating, the ones in Ahvaz and Bandar Abbas required mostly cooling, whereas the complex in other cities required both heating and cooling. Four different alternatives of aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) were analyzed in this study. These alternatives were:1) using ATES alone for cooling 2) for cooling coupled with a conventional refrigeration system or a chiller 3) for heating by employing flat plate solar collectors and 4) for heating by employing flat plate solar collectors and a heat pump. Thermal energy recovery factor and the annual coefficient of performance (COP) of the alternatives were determined. The results showed that, for buildings located in cities with mild climatic conditions(such as Esfahan), where the annual heating and cooling energy requirements are early equal, the use of ATES is highly recommended when employing any of the alternatives considered in this investigation.