1
25-086
Subsurface Spatial Planning for Energy and Storage Applications
in Germany
Malte J M Gurgel
RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
ABSTRACT
Subsurface spatial planning is becoming increasingly
important in view of competing underground applications.
This development is influenced by global agreements to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, precise knowl-
edge of the underground space is a basic prerequisite for
future applications. The three-dimensional registration
and reliable georeferencing of underground infrastructures
can establish a holistic geodata basis for such tasks. Those
tasks are discussed both for the development of energy
projects such as deep geothermal energy as well as for stor-
age applications. Research on geothermal energy has been
carried out at RWTH Aachen University as part of the
SuperC project in a license field in the Aachen area since
2001. Recently, this research has been extended to include
monitoring aspects in the overlapping GEObservatorium
Aachen field. The documentation and visualization of
underground activities using photogrammetric methods
like Structure from Motion is discussed based on recent
research in sites for the final disposal of radioactive waste.
Finally, both applications provide an outlook on support-
ing underground projects by using high-resolution geodata.
INTRODUCTION
The use of underground space in Germany is during far-
reaching transformation processes. However, in view of the
growing global demand for energy and raw materials due
to rising population and improved living standards, con-
ventional utilization concepts are under political and legal
pressure to change. Germany as the largest economy in
the European Union, is undergoing considerable change:
whereas in 1990 almost the entire energy demand was
covered by fossil and nuclear resources, the transition to
renewable energies has been progressing noticeably since
then. The use of domestic energy resources such as hard
coal and lignite as well as nuclear energy once ensured the
base load supply. Nowadays, with the end of hard coal min-
ing in 2018, the complete nuclear phase-out in 2023 and
the planned coal phase-out by 2038, Germany is facing a
comprehensive restructuring of its energy infrastructure.
This trend is reflected, for example, in the development
of primary energy consumption in Germany. Renewables
have significantly increased their share from 1.3% in 1990
to around 19.6% in 2023. At the same time, however,
renewable energy sources are still clearly in the minority.
In addition, total primary energy consumption has fallen
by 21%, from 14,905 PJ in 1990 to 11,676 PJ in 2022. [1]
The emerging of renewable energies will increase the
need to develop and implement new energy storage solu-
tions to ensure reliable power supply in the context of
renewable, but mostly volatile energy sources. This change
brings with it also an increased need for underground stor-
age facilities and use cases that are in close competition
with traditional underground extraction activities, but also
with other applications such as deep geothermal energy
production or the final disposal of highly radioactive waste.
Detailed and continuous planning of underground spatial
infrastructures is of central importance to meet this mul-
titude of utilization requirements. This planning requires
not only precise mapping of existing and planned cavities,
but also transparent documentation and communication of
these infrastructures to promote social acceptance.
HOLISTIC GEODATA BASIS FOR
UNDERGROUND PLANNING
In conventional mine surveying activities, the focus has
so far been on surveying discrete points with high accu-
racy, which have mostly been done using conventional
25-086
Subsurface Spatial Planning for Energy and Storage Applications
in Germany
Malte J M Gurgel
RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
ABSTRACT
Subsurface spatial planning is becoming increasingly
important in view of competing underground applications.
This development is influenced by global agreements to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, precise knowl-
edge of the underground space is a basic prerequisite for
future applications. The three-dimensional registration
and reliable georeferencing of underground infrastructures
can establish a holistic geodata basis for such tasks. Those
tasks are discussed both for the development of energy
projects such as deep geothermal energy as well as for stor-
age applications. Research on geothermal energy has been
carried out at RWTH Aachen University as part of the
SuperC project in a license field in the Aachen area since
2001. Recently, this research has been extended to include
monitoring aspects in the overlapping GEObservatorium
Aachen field. The documentation and visualization of
underground activities using photogrammetric methods
like Structure from Motion is discussed based on recent
research in sites for the final disposal of radioactive waste.
Finally, both applications provide an outlook on support-
ing underground projects by using high-resolution geodata.
INTRODUCTION
The use of underground space in Germany is during far-
reaching transformation processes. However, in view of the
growing global demand for energy and raw materials due
to rising population and improved living standards, con-
ventional utilization concepts are under political and legal
pressure to change. Germany as the largest economy in
the European Union, is undergoing considerable change:
whereas in 1990 almost the entire energy demand was
covered by fossil and nuclear resources, the transition to
renewable energies has been progressing noticeably since
then. The use of domestic energy resources such as hard
coal and lignite as well as nuclear energy once ensured the
base load supply. Nowadays, with the end of hard coal min-
ing in 2018, the complete nuclear phase-out in 2023 and
the planned coal phase-out by 2038, Germany is facing a
comprehensive restructuring of its energy infrastructure.
This trend is reflected, for example, in the development
of primary energy consumption in Germany. Renewables
have significantly increased their share from 1.3% in 1990
to around 19.6% in 2023. At the same time, however,
renewable energy sources are still clearly in the minority.
In addition, total primary energy consumption has fallen
by 21%, from 14,905 PJ in 1990 to 11,676 PJ in 2022. [1]
The emerging of renewable energies will increase the
need to develop and implement new energy storage solu-
tions to ensure reliable power supply in the context of
renewable, but mostly volatile energy sources. This change
brings with it also an increased need for underground stor-
age facilities and use cases that are in close competition
with traditional underground extraction activities, but also
with other applications such as deep geothermal energy
production or the final disposal of highly radioactive waste.
Detailed and continuous planning of underground spatial
infrastructures is of central importance to meet this mul-
titude of utilization requirements. This planning requires
not only precise mapping of existing and planned cavities,
but also transparent documentation and communication of
these infrastructures to promote social acceptance.
HOLISTIC GEODATA BASIS FOR
UNDERGROUND PLANNING
In conventional mine surveying activities, the focus has
so far been on surveying discrete points with high accu-
racy, which have mostly been done using conventional