Subsurface clean energy solutions (geothermal energy, CO2 storage)

5.1. Subsurface resources

One of the focus points of VU Amsterdam is ‘Science for Sustainability’: how can we create an ecologically healthy, socially just and economically viable world? Climate change is not just about the environment, it is also about dealing with individuals and society and finding alternative ways to cover the needs of society. Our energy system is one of such systems that needs to be revised. The transition to a sustainable, net-zero, energy consumption builds largely on new techniques to extract and store alternative energy resources like hydrogen, heat or carbon.

At VU Amsterdam, we collaborate closely with partners in the energy transition to identify and quantify the subsurface resources potential of the deep subsurface in the Netherlands. With the use of geophysical data, we produce images of the sub-surface of the Netherlands, both onshore and offshore, to identify risks and opportunities for subsurface resources. Our students actively contribute to this endeavour through our DOCS (Deep Offshore Carbon Storage) program that has been running successfully for many years and was selected as one of the major innovations for ‘A better world at VU’.

Main topics of research:

Investigating the Dutch sub-surface for potential carbon storage sites
Understanding hydrothermal systems in active volcanoes
Identifying risks and opportunities for energy potential in the deep subsurface

5.2. Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source derived from the natural heat of the Earth. Exploitation involves tapping into the Earth's internal heat to generate electricity, provide direct heating, or enhance industrial processes. The temperature and pressure of the geothermal fluid determine the method of energy extraction. There exist three different types of geothermal systems: i) Hydrothermal systems, ii) Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), iii) Geothermal heat pumps. These systems come with challenges such as location identification, high initial costs, and/or seismic activities. Nevertheless, geothermal energy presents a viable clean energy solution that leverages the Earth's internal heat to provide sustainable and low-emission power. In the Netherlands, geothermal energy is increasingly being explored and utilized as part of the country's strategy to transition to sustainable energy sources.

Main topics of research:

Numerical modelling of fluid flow through porous media to optimize the efficiency of geothermal heat extraction and distribution in these systems
Simulations of fracture network and reservoir performance to develop advanced geothermal technologies and improve the efficiency and feasibility of geothermal energy extraction.