VHT-BTES: Very High Temperature Borehole Thermal Energy Storage
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Uppsala universitet - Institutionen för Materialvetenskap |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 332 900 |
| Project duration | October 2025 - February 2026 |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Venture | Global cooperation 2025 |
| Call | Planning grant for international proposal 2025 |
Purpose and goal
The project aims to propose to Horizon Europe Call HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-22: Underground thermal energy storage in densely built-up urban areas. The main focus of this call for proposals is new technologies that result in the most efficient and sustainable use possible of underground spaces in densely built-up urban areas through underground thermal energy storage. Our project aims to deliver practical and operationally cost- and emission-free safe heating solutions.
Expected effects and result
We propose a heating system with a heat pump connected to very high temperature boreholes for thermal energy storage (VHT-BTES) which goes beyond existing BTES technology by aiming for storage temperatures above 100 °C during charging. This VHT-teknik can also contribute to the remediation of contaminated land, further contributing to sustainable underground thermal storage and geothermal use in cities.
Planned approach and implementation
The planning grant will support building the consortium, background research on BTES technologies and their integration with district heating infrastructures in dense urban areas. We will identify and engage potential partners bringing expertise and advanced techniques aimed at improving the system’s key performance indicators. We will define the project concept and how our proposal will overcome particular implementation challenges of BTES in urban areas.