{"id":364,"date":"2025-10-09T13:24:53","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T13:24:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cantech.nl\/?p=364"},"modified":"2025-10-15T18:37:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T18:37:33","slug":"asda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cantech.nl\/en\/asda\/","title":{"rendered":"Powering the Future of Tourism"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage as Part of an Integrated Path to Sustainability<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The urgency for sustainable energy in tourism<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tourism is a major global economic sector, but also one of the most energy-intensive. Hotels, resorts, airports, and cultural institutions require continuous heating, cooling, and hot water. According to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), energy use is among the largest sources of tourism-related CO\u2082 emissions, alongside transport. Reducing this footprint is essential to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).<\/p>\n

Meeting these challenges will require an integrated approach that combines renewable electricity, energy efficiency, smart infrastructure, and low-carbon heating and cooling solutions. One proven technology that can contribute is the Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) system.<\/p>\n

What is ATES?<\/strong><\/p>\n

An ATES system is a renewable energy technology that makes use of the natural heat present in soil and groundwater at depths of up to 500 meters. Groundwater is extracted and circulated between wells to store and reuse thermal energy across the seasons. In winter, groundwater is pumped from the warm well and upgraded with a heat pump to provide heating for buildings. The cooled water is then returned to the subsurface. After about half a year, the flow direction is reversed. In summer, groundwater is pumped from the cold well and used for cooling. The water, warmed in the process, is injected into the warm well, where it is stored until the next heating season.<\/p>\n

The wells may be placed next to each other or in different water-bearing layers. Their depth typically ranges from 20 to 300 meters below the surface. The groundwater itself is not consumed but continuously circulated, making the ATES system a sustainable and circular method for storing and reusing thermal energy.<\/p>\n

Why tourism is a suitable sector<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tourism facilities have energy demand profiles that are both high and predictable, which makes them particularly well suited to Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) systems. Hotels and resorts operate year-round and depend on continuous supplies of heating, cooling, and hot water. Wellness centers and swimming pools add significant volumes of heated water, while museums and cultural sites require tightly controlled indoor climates to protect collections. Airports and convention centers remain active in all seasons and face substantial peak loads, and holiday parks or lodges often need heating and cooling across dispersed buildings. These combined requirements create a stable and substantial thermal demand, making tourism infrastructure an excellent match for ATES, especially when the technology is integrated with other energy-efficiency measures and renewable energy sources.<\/p>\n

Proven results<\/strong><\/p>\n

Evidence from the Netherlands, where ATES is widely applied, shows energy savings of 40 to 60 percent compared to conventional systems and CO\u2082 emission reductions of 50 to 85 percent when replacing gas boilers. Financial models, such as those developed within the Dutch WarmingUP \/ WINDOW project (2022), estimate an internal rate of return (IRR) of around 6 percent over a 30-year system lifespan.<\/p>\n

ATES is already in operation in offices, hospitals, and airports, and is increasingly being considered for tourism infrastructure. In other parts of Europe, such as Germany and Scandinavia, supportive policies are accelerating adoption. As with any technology, ATES is most effective when implemented as part of an integrated decarbonisation strategy.<\/p>\n

Challenges to address<\/strong><\/p>\n

The feasibility of ATES projects depends on local geology and groundwater flows, while significant upfront investment requires long-term financing models. Clear regulation and proper system management are essential.<\/p>\n

In the province of South Holland, the Omgevingsdienst Haaglanden (Environmental agency), which serves as the licensing authority for ATES systems, plays a key role in ensuring that these projects are developed responsibly and in line with environmental standards.<\/p>\n

According to Menno van de Velde, Team Manager Permits at Omgevingsdienst Haaglanden:<\/p>\n

\u201cOpportunities particularly arise during (large-scale) renovations. It’s important to consider the energy supply early in the process to integrate efficient solutions. Using a geothermal energy system is not only a cost-efficient investment but also reduces the use of fossil fuels and can add value to brand development.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

In recent years, the authority has observed a growing number of permit applications, including from tourism-related facilities such as hotels. Permit procedures have also become more complex, making it crucial to carefully balance environmental interests. This includes assessing potential interferences with other energy systems, weighing hydrological, thermal, and settlement effects, and reviewing wastewater discharge that may occur during construction or maintenance. Crucial to this process is close coordination between government authorities: the Omgevingsdienst Haaglanden, authorized by the Province of South Holland, the municipality, and the regional water board.<\/p>\n

As Menno van de Velde explains:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen assessing an application, the efficient use of the subsurface is considered. Because the subsurface is becoming increasingly congested, especially in densely populated areas, it’s advantageous to be an early adapter. Not that more is allowed, but the considerations are less complex.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Tourism as a global showcase<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tourism facilities face two of the greatest sustainability challenges of our time. Securing reliable energy and ensuring efficient use of water. They are also highly visible to millions of visitors every year, giving them a unique role in showcasing the energy transition. By adopting technologies like ATES, destinations can significantly reduce their carbon footprint, strengthen long-term resilience, and align with the regulatory and strategic agendas shaping the industry.<\/p>\n

The sustainability transition needs visible examples. Tourism infrastructure from hotels and resorts to museums, airports, and cultural attractions should not be seen as lagging behind but as pioneers. With Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage making smart, circular use of groundwater the tourism sector can dig deeper to shape a sustainable future.
The question is: will tourism follow, or will it lead the way in showing how sustainability can truly be scaled?<\/p>\n

Sources: RVO, Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage in the Netherlands \u2013 Status Report 2022<\/em>; Zwamborn et al., WarmingUP \/ WINDOW Project<\/em>, 2022; UNWTO, UNEP & WMO (2008, 2009); UNWTO & ITF (2019).<\/p>\n

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