Fraunhofer IEG and Georg Agricola University of Applied Sciences join forces
Affordable and reliable heat for households, local authorities and businesses: mine water could provide it. Mining regions such as the Ruhr area could thus turn long-term liabilities into long-term benefits. Fraunhofer IEG and the Research Center of Post-Mining (FZN) at Georg Agricola University of Applied Sciences (THGA) aim to further integrate their applied research in this field. The partners intend to develop mine water as a heat source, prepare projects and support the next generation of researchers, and have now signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect.
“Former mining infrastructure can make a significant contribution to the heating transition. Together with the Post-Mining Research Centre, we aim to conduct applied research and develop concrete, practical solutions based on scientific findings. Mine water, in particular, offers the opportunity to rethink existing structures and harness them for a future-proof heat supply,” says Dr Frank Sachse, Head of Innovation and Transfer at Fraunhofer IEG.
The partners aim in particular to investigate how structures dating from the mining era can be effectively repurposed for the energy transition. For example, mines filled with mine water, which can serve as a source or storage facility for heating or cooling. In addition to technical issues, the collaboration also takes into account environmental, legal and economic aspects.
Fraunhofer IEG is contributing its application-oriented research into the transformation of energy systems. This includes sector coupling, heat pumps and, not least, geotechnologies. The FZN complements these areas of expertise with research and teaching on post-mining issues. Among other things, it focuses on water, environmental monitoring and the development of former industrial regions.
“The collaboration brings together complementary strengths: the university possesses excellent expertise in education and research relating to mining, post-mining and georesources, whilst the Fraunhofer IEG specialises in bringing new technologies into practical application in collaboration with industry and the public sector. This enables research findings to be put into practice much more quickly,” explains Dr Florian Hahn, Head of the Centre of Excellence for Post-Mining Utilisation at Fraunhofer IEG.
The partners now aim to launch joint research and innovation projects. The results of this collaboration could lead to the development of guidelines or standards for mine water geothermal energy. Local authorities, energy suppliers and other stakeholders in Germany’s former mining regions can benefit in the long term from solutions that combine existing infrastructure with new tasks for energy supply. Young professionals are to be introduced to practical issues at an early stage through dissertations, work placements, apprenticeships and field trips.
This represents a major opportunity for the Ruhr region and all former mining regions. These regions possess unique experience and infrastructure from the mining industry, which can now be utilised for the energy transition. Together, researchers and energy suppliers can develop innovative solutions that actively shape structural change, create new value and strengthen the regions’ position as hubs for energy infrastructure and geotechnologies. (Fraunhofer IEG/MRG)
