TEN.efzn and Geoenergy Systems
The Energieforschungszentrum Niedersachsen (TEN.efzn https://www.efzn.de/ten) is a statewide research network that consolidates scientific expertise across Lower Saxony to advance solutions for the energy and heat transition. Within the framework of the POWERHOUSE efzn initiative, several interdisciplinary research platforms address key challenges of future energy systems.
One of these platforms, “Geoenergy Systems”, focuses on the sustainable utilization of the geological subsurface as both an energy source and storage medium. This includes applications such as geothermal energy, subsurface heat storage, and the integration of renewable energy systems. The overarching objective is to develop scientifically robust and practically applicable solutions that address technical, environmental, and societal challenges associated with a climate-neutral energy supply.
Our Contribution
We are part of the research group “Applied Geothermics and Geohydraulics”, led by Inga Moeck at Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. Our work contributes primarily to Innovation Areas II (“Geothermal Energy and Thermal Storage”) and III (“Management and Optimization”).
Our research is centered on enabling the year-round availability of renewable heat by storing excess thermal energy in the subsurface during summer and recovering it during periods of high demand in winter.
We investigate the coupling of geothermal systems with seasonal solar thermal energy storage, with a focus on:
- the quantification and assessment of geological potentials,
- the numerical modeling and simulation of subsurface thermal storage systems,
- and the integration of these systems into sustainable and scalable heat supply concepts.