The shift towards renewable energy makes the exploration and efficient use of sustainable geoenergies such as geothermal energy indispensable. This requires the best possible knowledge of the geothermal and geological conditions of individual sites. By measuring, assessing and providing geothermal data and studying physical processes in geothermal systems, our section provides an important foundation for this task. The aim of our research is to minimize the discovery and development risk of geothermal storage facilities in order to ensure reliable technical and financial planning as well as the social acceptance of geothermal plants. So the meaningful use of geothermal energy in particular for heat supply should be achieved.

The Section sees its tasks particularly in project-oriented research through its connection to operational projects. The research-strategic orientation of the section thus accurately reflects the issues that accompany the ongoing energy transition and the associated need for site-specific use of the underground space for sustainable resource extraction and storage. Thus, the section is involved in the extensive geothermal exploration and development of Munich in cooperation with Stadtwerke München, the development of new development concepts for the southern German Molasse basin at the reference site Geretsried, the development of geothermal exploration methods for the Ruhr area in cooperation with the International Geothermal Center of the Hochschule Bochum and involved in the development of geothermal development strategies in the Leinetalgraben on the campus of the partner university Göttingen.

Our research focuses on the development of site-specific reconnaissance methods, the numerical mapping of cross-scale coupled processes initiated by the use of the geological subsoil, and the construction of interactive geoscientific information systems. This research is therefore subdivided into the three methodological Areas

• Geothermal system analysis
• Mathematical modeling and Simulation
• Information systems and digitization.

The section sees itself thus in the continuation of the more than 60 years long tradition in geothermal research of the institute and its predecessor institutions. This research led to a worldwide unique collection of data, which was developed in the section of one of the most comprehensive publicly accessible geothermal information systems, the GeotIS.

The research activities and results are integrated into international networks such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), which is used as an international energy agency by the Federal Government to internationalize the energy transition.

to the Research fields of the section