We observe, research and characterise the geological subsurface and develop new methods for the use of geothermal energy, the extraction of strategic minerals from geofluids and the development of underground storage facilities.
I investigate the geological subsurface for the use of geothermal energy, for the extraction of raw materials or for underground material storage. I combine geological analyses with numerical simulations of the subsurface and infrastructure. The aim is to enable a technical and economic assessment of geological resources in the context of the energy transition. Current research focuses include the storage of hydrogen in porous geological formations and the extraction of lithium from deep waters. In addition to my work at the Chair of Geothermal Energy Systems, I head the ‘Geothermal Geology’ working group at the Fraunhofer IEG.
Underground hydrogen storage potential in Germany: In addition to cavern storage in salt deposits (grey areas) with a storage potential of up to 35.7 PWh, hydrogen could also be stored in aquifers (green areas) with a storage potential of 3.2 to 27.3 PWh. Further storage options are offered by depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs (semi-circles). Where the bedrock is encountered (pink area) or sedimentary rocks are not sufficiently thick and deep (white areas), hydrogen storage in the geological subsurface is not possible. The hydrocarbon industry is already using the subsurface to store natural gas in salt caverns (rectangles) and pore storage facilities (triangles). The planned hydrogen pipelines (IPCEI - Important Projects of Common European Interest) are shown as coloured lines. LNG terminal
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Last update: Dec 16, 2024