Meneses Rioseco, Dr. Ernesto
Scientific Staff
Department of Structural Geology and Geothermics, University of Göttingen
Research Interests
My research focuses on the subsurface modelling of complex geological systems through the integration of multi-scale and multidisciplinary datasets, with a particular emphasis on understanding coupled thermo–hydro–mechanical–chemical (THMC) processes in subsurface energy systems. A central motivation of my work is to bridge geosciences, physics, applied mathematics, and geoenergy engineering to improve the quantitative description and prediction of subsurface processes across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales.
Methodologically, my research combines advanced numerical modelling and simulation techniques with geological, hydrogeological, geophysical, and geochemical constraints to investigate reaction–transport processes, heat and fluid flow, and their feedbacks in porous and fractured media. These approaches are applied to both fundamental process understanding and real-world geoenergy applications, including geothermal energy production, underground thermal energy storage, and the sustainable utilization of subsurface resources.
Currently, I am involved in several national and international research projects addressing reaction–transport processes at different scales, the origin of heat-flow anomalies in the Upper Rhine Graben, and geothermal reservoir engineering in fault- and fracture-controlled systems. In the BMWE-funded project DEKAPALATIN-BERTHA, which I coordinate at the University of Göttingen, my research focuses on geothermal reservoirs hosted in the Middle Buntsandstein and Muschelkalk formations, integrating static geological models with dynamic THMC simulations to support reservoir development and risk reduction.
In parallel, I work on the development and advancement of numerical methods for the optimal and sustainable production of geothermal energy, as well as on the co-production of multiple fluids in mature subsurface reservoirs characterized by complex permeability structures. Additionally, I am involved in projects such as THC Prognos and Warm-UP, where my work focuses on optimizing underground thermal energy storage and middle deep geothermal resources utilization by explicitly accounting for coupled thermo-hydro-chemical processes, surface infrastructure constraints, and subsurface heterogeneity.