The environmental effects of seasonal thermal energy storage (STES)

Seasonal thermal energy storage (STES) results, apart from the projected energy savings during operation, into a number of environmental effects, caused by the construction, operation and maintenance of the system. Several environmental effects are being considered, taking into account all the life cycle phases of a cooling system. Calculations are carried out using an office building of 30,000 square meters as a reference. It appears that the emissions from the energy consumption of the cooling system are much higher than the emissions from other factors which can pollute the environment (use of materials for the cooling system, maintenance and dismantling). 6 figs