Martin Bloemendal

Functie:
Lead scientist Underground Thermal Energy Storage and Associate Professor TU Delft

I am a specialist in Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) and work on various studies on utilization of sustainable heat by means of seasonal storage in the subsurface. In these endeavours I always consider the system as a whole, which means not only the subsurface system, but also consumers and the required facilities to utilize the available heat.

That is why I also have extensive knowledge of related and complementary techniques (ranging from well/borehole drilling and completion technology to heat pump, building facilities and control). My focus is not on the technical aspects only; I also work on organizational and policy-based issues concerning sustainable heating and cooling, as these are key for optimal and sustainable utilization of subsurface resources in practice.

Research

Sustainable energy has received substantial attention over the last years/decades. Heat is the largest part of the worldwide energy requirement (space heating/cooling, industry, etc.). As with many other renewable or sustainable energy sources, also with heat, the biggest challenge is dealing with the variability in the availability and demand. Heat storage is one of the major solutions to match heat availability to demand. Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) is, therefore, one of the important geothermal energy technologies needed to utilize sustainable heating and cooling systems of buildings – and in particular, provides cheap and large scale storage. Both, high quality research and education as well as large scale adoption of ATES technology are needed during the coming decades at national and international level.

Scope of research

  • Optimal and sustainable use of subsurface
  • Integration of UTES (subsurface system) to the building facilities/district heating network (control and optimisation)
  • Well/borehole technologies (drilling, completion)
  • Spatial planning and governance/legislation
  • Potential mapping and adoption
  • Barrier analysis and solutions

Utrecht

Princetonlaan 6
3584 CB Utrecht
The Netherlands

Postal address

P.O. Box 80015
3508 TA Utrecht
The Netherlands