Geosynthetics, a key brick of the energy transition

To establish a fully green energy system in Europe, flexible energy management is vital, especially with intermittent sources like wind and solar. As part of the TREASURE project financed by the European Union the pit thermal energy storage (PTES) technology is developed further, and it is aimed to streamline the implementation of this type of storage facility which is critical to the realization of a zero-carbon energy system. PTES are essential for utilizing renewable energy in heating communities and industries, hence geosynthetic products play a key role. The potential in Europe has a cumulative estimated capacity in the range of 35 to 110 TWh. This corresponds to a total water volume between 1 to 3 billion m3, at a forward/return temperature of 60/90 °C as used in most European district heating networks. Assuming a water volume from 250,000 to 500,000 m3 per individual PTES, a potential from 2,000 to 12,000 PTES needs to be constructed, although in many cases the water volume can be smaller, with a simultaneous increase in the number of facilities. To waterproof bottom, sides and floating cover of just one PTES with 250,000 m3 Volume ca. 50,000 m2 of sealing system is required, for 500,000 m3 it is ca. 78,000 m2, which means a European market potential from 160 to 600 million m2 for geomembranes exposed to high temperatures.