4
is also conceivable to enable a better understanding of the
underground situation.
Role of Subsurface Spatial Planning
This application example illustrates the opportunities for
holistic spatial planning using existing geodata, which also
includes geological and geophysical data and combines sev-
eral disciplines.
However, the importance of underground spatial plan-
ning is also increasing for the regular field of raw materi-
als and energy management. The desire for a transparent
approach is also evident in the raw materials industry and
the standards established there for the collection and han-
dling of geological data. For example, the Committee for
Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards defines
such standards for evaluation und documentation of depos-
its and the way how to communicate them. In Europe, the
corresponding PERC standard is established. (See [16] and
[17].) This standard has to be seen also in the context of
European legislation to secure critical raw materials and in
connection with a sustainability assessment as part of the
EU taxonomy regulation. [18]
Finally, from a surveying perspective, attention must
be paid to the reliable description, communication and
archiving of the underlying geodata. The standards of the
Open Geospatial Consortium have been established for this
purpose. [19] These are already widely used in the handling
of digital, spatial information. In this way, geodata and
specific technical information come together to provide a
holistic picture of the underground situation. Of course,
surface data can also be included in such a process.
CONCLUSION
The use of underground space is undergoing a considerable
transformation process globally, but also in Europe and
Germany, especially in the context of the energy transition.
In this process, application scenarios for the underground
are increasingly being discussed that go beyond traditional
mining. Storage facilities to compensate for volatile com-
ponents in the electricity and heating market as well as
underground infrastructures such as final repository sites
for nuclear waste are being discussed. A reliable, precise and
comprehensible description and documentation of under-
ground activities is relevant for all these plans.
With the help of established surveying techniques and
new methods such as SFM, holistic geodata management
can be operated to support underground spatial planning.
Using the example of the “GEObservatorium Aachen” proj-
ect, the interdisciplinary cooperation for the subsequent
use of an existing borehole with the aim of comprehensive
underground modeling was presented. The approaches
presented fit into a picture that calls for greater transpar-
ency of underground activities, also for the public. Driven
by political framework conditions at global and European
level, sustainability aspects must also be considered.
Modern geodata management can provide a reliable
data basis for the planning and use of underground infra-
structures and to ensure the long-term safe and transparent
operation of such facilities.
REFERENCES
[1] vArbeitsgemeinschaft Energiebilanzen e.V.,
“Energieverbrauch in Deutschland im Jahr 2023.”
Accessed: Nov. 12, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://
ag-energiebilanzen.de/presse/berichte/.
[2] M. J. M. Gurgel and A. Preusse, “New opportuni-
ties and challenges in surveying underground cavities
using photogrammetric methods,” Int. J. Min. Sci.
Technol., vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 9–13, Jan. 2021, DOI:
10.1016/j.ijmst.2020.12.005.
[3] M. J. M. Gurgel and A. Preusse, “Use of Structure
from Motion Photogrammetry for Monitoring of
Underground Storage Facilities,” in Proceedings of the
42nd International Conference on Ground Control in
Mining (Canonsburg, PA, USA, July 25-27, 2023),
Society for Mining, Metallurgy &Exploration
(SME), 2023.
[4] M. J. M. Gurgel, “Interdisziplinäres Konzept zur
photogrammetrischen Erfassung, Georeferenzierung
und Visualisierung untertägiger Hohlräume und
Infrastrukturen,” RWTH Aachen University, 2024.
DOI: 10.18154/RWTH-2024-06133.
[5] United Nations, “Paris Agreement,” in United Nations
Treaty Collection, vol. 3156, United Nations, Ed.,
New York, 2016, pp. 79–258.
[6] Communication from the Commission to the European
Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the
European Economic and Social Committee and the
Committee of the Regions the European Green Deal.
2019.
[7] Federal Climate Action Act (Bundes-Klimaschutzgesetz
– KSG). 2019.
[8] United Nations, Transforming our world: the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development. 2015.
[9] German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and
Climate Action, “National Hydrogen Strategy.”
Accessed: Nov. 12, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://
www.bmwk.de/Navigation/EN/hydrogen/home
.html.
is also conceivable to enable a better understanding of the
underground situation.
Role of Subsurface Spatial Planning
This application example illustrates the opportunities for
holistic spatial planning using existing geodata, which also
includes geological and geophysical data and combines sev-
eral disciplines.
However, the importance of underground spatial plan-
ning is also increasing for the regular field of raw materi-
als and energy management. The desire for a transparent
approach is also evident in the raw materials industry and
the standards established there for the collection and han-
dling of geological data. For example, the Committee for
Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards defines
such standards for evaluation und documentation of depos-
its and the way how to communicate them. In Europe, the
corresponding PERC standard is established. (See [16] and
[17].) This standard has to be seen also in the context of
European legislation to secure critical raw materials and in
connection with a sustainability assessment as part of the
EU taxonomy regulation. [18]
Finally, from a surveying perspective, attention must
be paid to the reliable description, communication and
archiving of the underlying geodata. The standards of the
Open Geospatial Consortium have been established for this
purpose. [19] These are already widely used in the handling
of digital, spatial information. In this way, geodata and
specific technical information come together to provide a
holistic picture of the underground situation. Of course,
surface data can also be included in such a process.
CONCLUSION
The use of underground space is undergoing a considerable
transformation process globally, but also in Europe and
Germany, especially in the context of the energy transition.
In this process, application scenarios for the underground
are increasingly being discussed that go beyond traditional
mining. Storage facilities to compensate for volatile com-
ponents in the electricity and heating market as well as
underground infrastructures such as final repository sites
for nuclear waste are being discussed. A reliable, precise and
comprehensible description and documentation of under-
ground activities is relevant for all these plans.
With the help of established surveying techniques and
new methods such as SFM, holistic geodata management
can be operated to support underground spatial planning.
Using the example of the “GEObservatorium Aachen” proj-
ect, the interdisciplinary cooperation for the subsequent
use of an existing borehole with the aim of comprehensive
underground modeling was presented. The approaches
presented fit into a picture that calls for greater transpar-
ency of underground activities, also for the public. Driven
by political framework conditions at global and European
level, sustainability aspects must also be considered.
Modern geodata management can provide a reliable
data basis for the planning and use of underground infra-
structures and to ensure the long-term safe and transparent
operation of such facilities.
REFERENCES
[1] vArbeitsgemeinschaft Energiebilanzen e.V.,
“Energieverbrauch in Deutschland im Jahr 2023.”
Accessed: Nov. 12, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://
ag-energiebilanzen.de/presse/berichte/.
[2] M. J. M. Gurgel and A. Preusse, “New opportuni-
ties and challenges in surveying underground cavities
using photogrammetric methods,” Int. J. Min. Sci.
Technol., vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 9–13, Jan. 2021, DOI:
10.1016/j.ijmst.2020.12.005.
[3] M. J. M. Gurgel and A. Preusse, “Use of Structure
from Motion Photogrammetry for Monitoring of
Underground Storage Facilities,” in Proceedings of the
42nd International Conference on Ground Control in
Mining (Canonsburg, PA, USA, July 25-27, 2023),
Society for Mining, Metallurgy &Exploration
(SME), 2023.
[4] M. J. M. Gurgel, “Interdisziplinäres Konzept zur
photogrammetrischen Erfassung, Georeferenzierung
und Visualisierung untertägiger Hohlräume und
Infrastrukturen,” RWTH Aachen University, 2024.
DOI: 10.18154/RWTH-2024-06133.
[5] United Nations, “Paris Agreement,” in United Nations
Treaty Collection, vol. 3156, United Nations, Ed.,
New York, 2016, pp. 79–258.
[6] Communication from the Commission to the European
Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the
European Economic and Social Committee and the
Committee of the Regions the European Green Deal.
2019.
[7] Federal Climate Action Act (Bundes-Klimaschutzgesetz
– KSG). 2019.
[8] United Nations, Transforming our world: the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development. 2015.
[9] German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and
Climate Action, “National Hydrogen Strategy.”
Accessed: Nov. 12, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://
www.bmwk.de/Navigation/EN/hydrogen/home
.html.