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How can you store summer heat for winter?
Slovenia🏛️ PoliticsCenter8/10/2026

How can you store summer heat for winter?

The article discusses energy geotechnical constructions, which are structures like foundations, piles, and trenches in contact with the ground equipped with heat exchange systems. These systems allow buildings to store excess heat in the ground during warmer periods and reuse it for heating when needed. The technology, part of shallow geothermal energy solutions, has been developing globally for over two decades and is considered a promising sustainable solution for building heating and cooling. The article explains how these systems work through pipes filled with fluid that absorbs and releases heat, using heat pumps to transfer the energy where needed. It highlights the advantages of integrating such systems during construction, particularly in Slovenia, where deep drilling costs are significant. Experts note that while this technology offers cost savings, it requires careful planning based on soil properties and temperature changes. Research by French professor Sandrine Rosin-Paumier indicates that repeated temperature cycles affect the mechanical properties of fine-grained soils, prompting the development of models to ensure long-term safety. The technology is already used in多个

In Slovenia, researchers and engineers are exploring innovative ways to store summer heat for winter use, by integrating thermal energy systems directly into building foundations. This emerging technology, known as energy geostructures, involves embedding heat exchange systems within geotechnical elements such as piles, foundation slabs, and trenches during construction. These structures leverage the stable temperatures found underground to capture excess heat during warmer months and redistribute it during colder periods, offering a sustainable solution for heating and cooling buildings. The approach falls under shallow geothermal technologies and has been gaining traction globally over the past two decades. The system works by installing pipes within these geotechnical components, through which a fluid circulates in a closed loop. In warm conditions, the fluid absorbs heat, while in cold conditions, it releases stored heat. A heat pump transfers this energy to areas where it is needed. Because ground temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the year compared to air, they provide an efficient medium for thermal exchange. By incorporating these systems during the construction phase, additional deep drilling, which can be costly, is often unnecessary, significantly reducing investment costs. One of the main advantages of energy geostructures is their integration with existing geotechnical infrastructure. If planned early in the design process, these systems can be seamlessly incorporated into the foundation without requiring extra work. According to Dr. Stanislav Lenart from the Slovenian Institute of Civil Engineering (ZAG), this could lead to substantial savings, especially since many projects in Slovenia already rely on pile foundations and protected excavation walls. However, the technology is not universally applicable. Each system must be carefully dimensioned based on soil properties and the potential impact of temperature changes on both the structure and surrounding ground. Heating or cooling the earth can affect soil stability, deformation, and water movement, necessitating thorough analysis before implementation. Research conducted by Prof. Sandrine Rosin-Paumier from France highlights the effects of repeated temperature cycles on fine-grained soils. These cycles can alter moisture distribution and how soil responds to loads. As a result, researchers are developing experimental and numerical models to better predict these processes and ensure the long-term safe operation of energy geostructures. Despite these challenges, the technology has been in use for more than twenty years in several European countries, particularly in commercial buildings, residential complexes, tunnels, and infrastructure projects. Its development has accelerated due to the global push toward low-carbon heating and cooling solutions. Slovenia appears well-positioned to adopt this technology, given its favorable geological conditions and numerous new constructions utilizing pile foundations. For instance, the method could enable the storage of thermal energy in road embankments, which could later be used in winter to prevent road surface freezing. In all these scenarios, systems for shallow geothermal energy could be integrated into the planning stages of projects. The ground beneath our feet is not just a load-bearing base for buildings but also a valuable and cost-effective medium for storing and exchanging heat. By thoughtfully incorporating this potential into building designs, summer overheating of structures and infrastructure can be reduced, and part of the required winter heat can be sourced from the ground where it was stored during the summer.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

Večer logoVečerIndependent🔒CenterFactual 75Objective 808/10/2026
How can you store summer heat for winter?

The article discusses energy geotechnical constructions, which are structures like foundations, piles, and trenches in contact with the ground equipped with heat exchange systems. These systems allow buildings to store excess heat in the ground during warmer periods and reuse it for heating when needed. The technology, part of shallow geothermal energy solutions, has been developing globally for over two decades and is considered a promising sustainable solution for building heating and cooling. The article explains how these systems work through pipes filled with fluid that absorbs and releases heat, using heat pumps to transfer the energy where needed. It highlights the advantages of integrating such systems during construction, particularly in Slovenia, where deep drilling costs are significant. Experts note that while this technology offers cost savings, it requires careful planning based on soil properties and temperature changes. Research by French professor Sandrine Rosin-Paumier indicates that repeated temperature cycles affect the mechanical properties of fine-grained soils, prompting the development of models to ensure long-term safety. The technology is already used in多个

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a technical innovation in energy efficiency without taking a clear ideological stance. It provides balanced explanations of the technology’s benefits, challenges, and research developments without favoring any particular political agenda. The focus remains on a

Why factuality (75): The article explains energy geotechnical constructions as systems for storing excess summer heat in foundations and using it for heating in winter. It references Dr. Stanislav Lenart from ZAG and discusses cost savings by avoiding deep drilling. While the content aligns with general knowledge about

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains informative and explanatory, focusing on technical details and benefits without overt bias. The article presents both the advantages and potential cost savings of the technology without promoting any particular viewpoint.

Si21 logoSi21IndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 808/10/2026
Maybe in the foundations of buildings.

The article discusses energy geotechnical constructions, which are structures like foundations, piles, and trenches in contact with the ground equipped with heat exchange systems. These systems allow for storing excess summer heat in the ground and reusing it during winter, making them part of shallow geothermal technology. The article explains how these systems work through pipes filled with fluid that absorbs and releases heat, using heat pumps to transfer the energy where needed. It highlights the advantages of integrating such systems during construction, reducing costs by avoiding additional deep boreholes. However, it also notes limitations, including the need for precise design based on soil properties and potential impacts on structural stability and groundwater movement. Research by Dr. Stanislav Lenart and Prof. Sandrine Rosin-Paumier is mentioned, showing both opportunities and challenges in implementing this technology. While widely used in several European countries for commercial buildings and infrastructure, the technology is still evolving.

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a technical innovation without overtly promoting or criticizing any political stance. It provides balanced coverage of the benefits, limitations, and research surrounding energy geotechnical constructions, without leaning toward a specific ideological position.

Why factuality (75): This article provides similar information to the first, explaining how energy geotechnical structures can store summer heat for winter use. It also mentions Dr. Stanislav Lenart and the cost-effectiveness compared to deep boreholes. Like the first article, it is cut off mid-sentence, limiting comple

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains an objective tone, presenting the technology's benefits and practical considerations without taking sides. It focuses on explanation rather than advocacy, keeping the language neutral.

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