Kiel University at the Hannover Messe 2019

Potential of and opportunities for subsurface energy storage

ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Lecture: 27.4.2018, Hannover Messe, Hall 2, CAU booth C07
time: 12:00 noon & 2:30 pm
language: English


New energy storage methods and technologies are required for the transition to fluctuating renewable as well as alternative energy sources. Subsurface energy storage of hydrogen gas, compressed air and methane in porous formations or salt caverns or storage of sensible heat in the geological subsurface offer large potential storage capacities over a wide range of storage times, ranging from hourly to seasonal cycles. Employing these systems, however, requires an adequate understanding and characterization of the subsurface geosystems employed, in order to predict achievable storage capacities and rates as well as induced effects. For this end, characterization as well as simulation methods are developed and employed, characterizing typical subsurface storage sites. Special focus is on urban subsurface heat storage options, i.e. aquifer- or borehole thermal energy storage (ATES/BTES) for seasonal storage of renewable or waste heat to meet the urban heating demand during winter. 

 

Speaker

Ludewig-Meyn-Straße 10, R. 315
Phone: +49 431 880-2853
Telefax: +49 431 880-7606
sebastian.bauer@ifg.uni-kiel.de

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Sebastian Bauer heads the Geohydromodelling working group at Kiel University’s Institute of Geosciences. He studied Physics in Heidelberg, then completed his doctoral degree and postdoctoral qualification in Quantitative Geosciences at the University of Tübingen. He and his working group focus on the quantification and mathematical-numerical simulation of thermal, hydraulic, mechanical and geochemical processes in subsurface geology. For this, suitable software tools and numerical tools are developed and applied in practice to a wide range of topics. For the past 8 years, the working group has been conducting intensive research into underground energy storage in the form of gas storage for methane, hydrogen and compressed air in porous formations as well as subsurface high-temperature heat storage in the form of Borehole Thermal Energy Storage systems, Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage systems and technical underground storage options. He also coordinates the ANGUS research project.