The BMWK is funding the major project "WärmeGut" led by the LIAG for research and data provision for a nationwide standardised database with accessible and processed information on local geothermal potential and mentions the goals specifically in a new key points paper for a geothermal campaign. For more than 15 years, the LIAG has already been regularly expanding the GeotIS geothermal portal, which is unique in Germany and provides a detailed overview of deep geothermal energy.
To the BMWK press release (German)
Extensive geoscientific exploration work is leading to the discovery of large quantities of rare earth elements in Kiruna, Sweden, where the company LKAB recently announced. The joint project DESMEX, in which LIAG was involved, also made a contribution. Follow-up projects are already underway.
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The effects of climate change on tropical regions are still poorly understood. However, they are among the most populated areas in the world. Researchers at the LIAG have now created both an age-depth model and a moisture distribution for the last 500,000 years from one of the oldest lakes in central Mexico, Lake Chalco. The results are clear: Central Mexico experienced recurrent dry periods related to the Earth's natural wobble.
Prof. Dr. Martin Sauter will take office as director of the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG) in December 2022. He is thus responsible for the strategic orientation and structural development of the research institution. Frank Doods, State Secretary of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Building and Digitalisation, officially inaugurated the new position at the GEOZENTRUM Hannover on 6 December.
To the press release (German)
Groundwater and soil resources of the North Sea region are under pressure from climate change, human use and the resulting landscape changes. The "Blue Transition" project focuses on sustainable water and soil management to strengthen the resilience of the North Sea region.
The HyAfrica project is exploring deposits of natural hydrogen in several African countries to provide alternative energy for local areas. The long-term joint research and innovation partnership between the European Union and the African Union in the field of renewable energy (LEAP-RE) is funding the project with a budget of almost one million euros. In Germany, the Fraunhofer IEE and the LIAG are significantly involved.
To the press release (German)
Independence from natural gas imports: Meta-study on the potential of geothermal energy as a renewable energy and as a substitute for fossil fuels in the heat supply in Germany makes it clear that without immediate measures to expand geothermal energy, it is not possible to build up the eco-heat sector to achieve the national climate protection goals.
To the press release (German)