8
First, a larger region in Lower Saxony was selected that was
of interest. The Western Harz, with its 790 km2 area and
high annual precipitation of up to 1400 mm, was selected
as the research focus. An initial assessment of the area was
then carried out in order to identify the characteristics of
the surface water balance and its connection with extreme
weather events in the region. In parallel, the influence of
energy demand was included in the assessment to identify
potential areas on which to focus research 33 .
Selection criteria included the location of available sur-
face and underground mining infrastructure with an upper
or lower reservoir storage capacity of more than 500 000 m3
as a critical variable, proximity to available large dams and
ponds in the area for potential interconnection, proximity
to regions at risk of water scarcity and proximity to elec-
trical grid nodes. Five areas in the North-West Harz were
then examined and evaluated. Three of the selected areas
involved an existing dam in operation, two involved the
construction of new dams, two involved the construction
of underground storage reservoirs and one involved the
subsequent use of an open-cast mine as an upper reservoir.
The operating concept was then developed for each alterna-
tive and the effects of implementation were assessed, taking
into account the four key aspects. In this way, the EWAZ
project represented an outstanding example of the appli-
cation of the BM approach in a post-mining region and
underlines its importance for the integration of sustainable
energy systems for future generations 33.
Development of Energy Concepts in Mines Using the
BM Approach
The implementation of intelligent energy systems in min-
ing, especially in underground mines, is a complex chal-
lenge due to the special environmental, operational and
safety requirements. However, Blue Mining offers a struc-
tured approach that supports the holistic integration of
these systems. The approach is divided into three main
steps that support the development of energy concepts tai-
lored to the specific needs of mining companies. To better
describe the planning steps, the authors relate this approach
to the EWAZ project.
Step 1: Identifying potential uses
The first step is to identify the local energy sources and dis-
tribution systems within the mine and its surroundings. In
an underground mine, for example, it is crucial to consider
the availability and integration of renewable energy sources,
such as geothermal energy, that can be harnessed locally. In
addition, it is important to identify the local stakeholders
and their energy needs. This includes the energy needs of the
surrounding communities and how the mine’s energy man-
agement can support or influence them. Understanding
these potentials helps to design an energy system that is
both efficient and socially acceptable. In the case of the
EWAZ project, this step involved defining the study area,
reducing it to a regional area, assessing the factors relevant
to surface water and evaluating the parameters associated
with the extreme weather conditions in the region.
Step 2: Identifying conflicts of use and synergies
The second step emphasizes the need to identify the
degree of importance of energy-related systems and pro-
cesses within the m ine. For example, in an underground
mine, the reliability of the energy supply to the ventilation
Figure 4. Overall schedule of the energy-water storage
project in the Harz region (Nowosad, Godge, et al. 2023)
First, a larger region in Lower Saxony was selected that was
of interest. The Western Harz, with its 790 km2 area and
high annual precipitation of up to 1400 mm, was selected
as the research focus. An initial assessment of the area was
then carried out in order to identify the characteristics of
the surface water balance and its connection with extreme
weather events in the region. In parallel, the influence of
energy demand was included in the assessment to identify
potential areas on which to focus research 33 .
Selection criteria included the location of available sur-
face and underground mining infrastructure with an upper
or lower reservoir storage capacity of more than 500 000 m3
as a critical variable, proximity to available large dams and
ponds in the area for potential interconnection, proximity
to regions at risk of water scarcity and proximity to elec-
trical grid nodes. Five areas in the North-West Harz were
then examined and evaluated. Three of the selected areas
involved an existing dam in operation, two involved the
construction of new dams, two involved the construction
of underground storage reservoirs and one involved the
subsequent use of an open-cast mine as an upper reservoir.
The operating concept was then developed for each alterna-
tive and the effects of implementation were assessed, taking
into account the four key aspects. In this way, the EWAZ
project represented an outstanding example of the appli-
cation of the BM approach in a post-mining region and
underlines its importance for the integration of sustainable
energy systems for future generations 33.
Development of Energy Concepts in Mines Using the
BM Approach
The implementation of intelligent energy systems in min-
ing, especially in underground mines, is a complex chal-
lenge due to the special environmental, operational and
safety requirements. However, Blue Mining offers a struc-
tured approach that supports the holistic integration of
these systems. The approach is divided into three main
steps that support the development of energy concepts tai-
lored to the specific needs of mining companies. To better
describe the planning steps, the authors relate this approach
to the EWAZ project.
Step 1: Identifying potential uses
The first step is to identify the local energy sources and dis-
tribution systems within the mine and its surroundings. In
an underground mine, for example, it is crucial to consider
the availability and integration of renewable energy sources,
such as geothermal energy, that can be harnessed locally. In
addition, it is important to identify the local stakeholders
and their energy needs. This includes the energy needs of the
surrounding communities and how the mine’s energy man-
agement can support or influence them. Understanding
these potentials helps to design an energy system that is
both efficient and socially acceptable. In the case of the
EWAZ project, this step involved defining the study area,
reducing it to a regional area, assessing the factors relevant
to surface water and evaluating the parameters associated
with the extreme weather conditions in the region.
Step 2: Identifying conflicts of use and synergies
The second step emphasizes the need to identify the
degree of importance of energy-related systems and pro-
cesses within the m ine. For example, in an underground
mine, the reliability of the energy supply to the ventilation
Figure 4. Overall schedule of the energy-water storage
project in the Harz region (Nowosad, Godge, et al. 2023)