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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)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

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

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 250 827,54
Address
UNIVERSITY AVENUE
G12 8QQ Glasgow
United Kingdom

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Region
Scotland West Central Scotland Glasgow City
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Participants (17)