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Integrated Thermal Energy Storage for Urban Sustainability

Objective

The overall objective of INTENSE-US is to raise integrated Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) solutions for dense urban environments from TRL 5–6 to TRL 7. This will be achieved by demonstrating, for the first time in Europe, UTES systems coordinated with multiple heat sources, new and repurposed existing subsurface infrastructure operating within live urban energy systems and networks, congested subsurface conditions, and urban heat islands. This first-of-a-kind, city-scale demonstration will provide robust technical readiness for deploying UTES as a core component of urban heat decarbonisation, enabling long-term up to seasonal heat shifting, peak-load reduction and system flexibility of coupled electricity-heat vectors in environments where surface-based storage solutions are spatially constrained. INTENSE-US directly addresses the work programme topic on Underground Thermal Energy Storage in dense urban areas, which calls for novel technologies, interfaces, design methods and organisational concepts that ensure the most effective and sustainable use of subsurface space. By moving beyond isolated storage pilots and validating integrated UTES operation across multiple temperature regimes (≈10–30 °C, 30–70 °C and >70 °C), the project anchors European technology leadership in urban geo-storage and positions UTES as a deployable, investable infrastructure solution for cities. INTENSE-US will demonstrate how UTES can function not as a standalone technology, but as a system-level flexibility asset embedded in urban energy systems, including district heating and cooling (DHC) networks, electricity system and existing subsurface infrastructure such as metro tunnels, legacy mine workings and thermally activated foundations (energy piles), including coexistence with transport infrastructure, groundwater resources and drinking-water protection zones, and subsidence risk areas.

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Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2026-02

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
Net EU contribution
€ 1 250 827,54
Address
UNIVERSITY AVENUE
G12 8QQ Glasgow
United Kingdom
Region
Scotland West Central Scotland Glasgow City
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (17)