ThermStore-DH
Unlocking Ireland’s underground heat storage potential to support cleaner, smarter district heating.
About the project
This project evaluates how Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) can help decarbonise Ireland’s heating sector by storing surplus renewable and waste heat underground for later use. Focusing on Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) and Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES), the research will assess Ireland’s fractured limestone formations, particularly in the Dublin Basin, using advanced geological modelling, laboratory testing, groundwater data and field validation.
By integrating surplus heat from data centres, industry and solar thermal sources with district heating demand, the project will identify technically viable, cost-effective and low-carbon storage solutions. Its outputs will include optimized system designs, geological suitability workflows, techno-economic and environmental assessments, and policy recommendations to support the large-scale deployment of renewable heat storage in district heating networks in Ireland.
Codema's role in the project
Codema will play a central role in ensuring that ThermStore-DH is grounded in real-world district heating delivery and local authority energy planning. As Dublin’s Energy Agency and a recognised leader in the district heating sector in Ireland, Codema will bring specialist expertise in heat network planning, energy systems modelling, sector integration and stakeholder engagement. This experience will help ensure that the project’s technical outputs are relevant to operational and planned district heating schemes, particularly in the Dublin context.
The project will draw directly on Codema’s experience to support the development, review and validation of energy system models for UTES integration. Codema will contribute heat demand, waste heat insights and knowledge of schemes such as the Tallaght District Heating Scheme, helping the consortium assess how underground thermal energy storage can support lower-cost, lower-carbon district heating.
Project aims
Advanced geological suitability evaluation for UTES
Subsurface thermal modelling and optimization of UTES systems
System-level feasibility assessment of integrated UTES solutions & socio-economic and environmental evaluation of UTES for district heating
Project team
John O’Shea
Senior Energy Systems Analyst / Heat and Electricity Lead
John O’Shea
Senior Energy Systems Analyst / Heat and Electricity Lead
Kieran Donohue
Energy Systems Engineer
Kieran Donohue
Energy Systems Engineer
