Function and Responsibilities:

Since 2008, I have been working as a scientist at the GFZ Potsdam on the topics of geothermal energy and aquifer heat storage. During this time, I was also a visiting scientist at the BTU Cottbus and the Université de Strasbourg.

Since 2016, I have been leading the "Sustainable Production Technologies" working group at the GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam (GFZ), which is assigned to section 4.3 "Geoenergy". The working group, which has up to 10 members, works with the aim of ensuring the sustainable management of geothermal resources. My main task is to supervise the investigations of thermo-hydraulic-mechanical coupled processes in geothermal reservoirs and aquifers for thermal energy storage, especially in sedimentary as well as fractured-porous media. The basis of my research is the in-situ geothermal laboratory Groß Schönebeck (North German Basin), several ATES locations in Berlin, laboratory and field experiments as well as numerical simulations.

The Polyaxial High Pressure Testing System - TrueTriax and the Mechanical Testing System (MTS) at the GFZ are available for the investigation of thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical coupled processes in the laboratory. The scientific management including the planning, implementation and analysis of the experiments are part of my area of ​​responsibility.

The findings from laboratory and field investigations and their numerical interpretation are used in various courses to inspire young scientists for these topics:

• 2022 - today | ATES in urban areas | TU Berlin
• 2018 - today | Rock & Reservoir Mechanics | TU Berlin
• 2014 - 2017 | Flow and Transport Modelling | TU Berlin
• 2015 - 2016 | Aquifer storage drilling in Berlin | FU Berlin & TU Berlin
• 2010 - 2013 | Reservoir Engineering | BTU Cottbus
• 2012 - 2013 | Introduction to Modeling of geothermal reservoirs | University of Alberta (Canada), Institut Teknologi Bandung (Indonesia) & University Potsdam (Germany)
  

Research Interests:

• Development and application of new THMC simulation techniques
• Laboratory experiments on the hydraulic, thermal and mechanical behavior of reservoir rocks
• Combination of laboratory experiments, field observations and numerical modeling
• Sustainable use of hydrothermal systems, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES)
  

Career:

03/2016 – today | Working group leader | GFZ Potsdam
Project management; development and application of new simulation techniques; laboratory experiments on the hydraulic, thermal and mechanical behavior of reservoir rocks, combination of laboratory experiments, field observations and numerical modeling, sustainable use of hydrothermal systems, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES).

01/2011 – 02/2016 | Scientist | GFZ Potsdam
Holistic investigation of the interaction between reservoir, borehole and surface facility using numerical simulation; process optimization of geothermal energy production, laboratory experiments on the hydraulic, thermal and mechanical behavior of carbonate rocks.

05/2019 – 11/2019 | Scientist | Université de Strasbourg
Investigation of the potential of fractured rocks for geothermal energy supply; Investigation of fracture propagation and the sustainability of fracture permeability in clastic, carbonate and basaltic rocks.

07/2009 – 12/2010 | Scientist | BTU Cottbus
Holistic investigation of the interaction between reservoir, borehole and surface facility using numerical simulation; process optimization of geothermal energy production.

03/2008 – 06/2009 | Scientist | GFZ Potsdam
Improved understanding of hydraulic and mechanical interactions in geothermal reservoirs; identification of thermal, mechanical and hydraulic properties of reservoir rocks.

11/2004 – 02/2008 | PhD student | GFZ Potsdam
Improved understanding of hydraulic and mechanical interactions in porous media; determination of mechanical and hydraulic properties depending on the pore space geometry: reconstruction of the pore space geometry.

11/2006 – 02/2008 | Project assistant | Geotec Consult GbR, Bochum
Monitoring of the groundwater lowering of the Ernst-August-Galerie excavation pit (Hannover, Germany).

04/2004 – 09/2004 | Hydrogeology project manager | Geotec Consult GbR, Bochum
Development of a flow model of the Ernst-August-Galerie construction site (Hannover, Germany).

Education:

07/2018 – 11/2021 | Habilitation | Technical University of Berlin

• Thesis: “The Role of Fractures and Faults in Reservoirs: Thermal-hydraulic-mechanical Characteristics and Processes in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)
• Teaching qualification “Applied Geosciences”
  

11/2004 – 02/2008 | Dr.-Ing. | Technical University of Berlin

• Thesis: “Pore space reconstruction of porous media - Coupling of microstructure, rock mechanics and flow properties depending on effective pressure”
• Assessment: summa cum laude

10/1997 – 02/2004 | Dipl.-Ing. | Technical University of Berlin

• Thesis: “Groundwater management using a three-dimensional numerical flow model in the area of Ribeirão Preto - São Paulo - Brazil”
• Assessment: very good
  

Projects:

Project Title: Entwicklung eines diagenetischen Prozess Models des Muschelkalks und numerische Simulation der Reservoire & Entzugsleistungen
Acronym: Progres
Funding Source: Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Amount (EUR): 406.094
Period: 01.01.2025 – 31.12.2027
Role: project leader
Objectives: Development of a diagenetic process model of Muschelkalk and numerical simulation of reservoirs & extraction capacities for the Berlin/Brandenburg region
 
Project Title: PilotingUnderground Storage of Heat In geoThermal reservoirs
Acronym: PUSH-IT
Funding Source: HORIZON-CL5-2022-D3-01
Amount (EUR): 19.763.180 (total)
Period: 01.01.2023 – 31.12.2026
Role: employee
Objectives: demonstrating innovative high-temperature heat storage solutions
 
Project Title: Hydrochemische Charakterisierungzur prognostischen Modellierung nachhaltiger Reservoirbewirtschaftung
Acronym: THC-Prognos
Funding Source: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
Amount (EUR): 775.500
Period: 01.12.2023 - 30.11.2026
Role: project leader
Objectives: thermal-hydraulic-chemical (THC) modeling tool and establishment of a guideline for THC modelling
 
Project Title: A DigitalTwin for GEOPhysical extremes
Acronym: DT-GEO
Funding Source: HORIZON-INFRA-2021-TECH-01
Amount (EUR): 231.260
Period: 01.09.2022 – 31.08.2025
Role: work package deputy
Objectives: develop a prototype for a digital twin on geophysical extremes, e.g. induced seismicity
 
Project Title: Speichercity
Acronym: Speichercity
Funding Source: Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Amount (EUR): 270.099
Period: 01.07.2022 – 30.06.2025
Role: project leader
Objectives: innovative models for the system integration of aquifer storage are being developed
 
Project Title: Very-High-TemperatureHeat Aquifer Storage
Acronym: VESTA
Funding Source: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Amount (EUR): 363.898
Period: 01.03.2022 - 31.08.2024
Role: project leader
Objectives: monitoring of thermal energy balance; reducing maintenance; optimizing the efficiency; and ensuring the environmental compatibility
 
Project Title: Geothermische Nutzung derKarbonatgesteine im norddeutschen Becken
Acronym: ATES iQ
Funding Source: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Amount (EUR): 698.179
Period: 01.03.2020 - 31.12.2022
Role: project leader
Objectives: exploration, development and operation of a heat storage system with the help of field and laboratory studies as well as by modelling
 
Project Title: Reaktive Reservoirsysteme – Lösungund Fällung von Salzen und die Auswirkungen auf die hydraulischen undmechanischen Gebirgseigenschaften
Acronym: Resalt
Funding Source: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Amount (EUR): 562.160
Period: 01.11.2017 - 31.12.2021
Role: project leader
Objectives: Fluid rock interaction and sustainability of fracture permeability of a fractured porous media
 
Project Title: Demonstrationof soft stimulation treatments of geothermal reservoirs
Acronym: DESTRESS
Funding Source: H2020-LCE-2015-2
Amount (EUR): 10.713.408
Period: 01.03.2016 - 31.05.2021
Role: work package deputy
Objectives: During this project soft stimulation, including fatigue hydraulic fracturing will be demonstrated.
 
Project Title: Novel Productivity EnhancementConcept for a Sustainable Utilization of a Geothermal Resource
Acronym: SURE
Funding Source: H2020-LCE-2015-1-two-stage
Amount (EUR): 5.924.910
Period: 01.03.2016 – 31.08.2019
Role: work package leader, employee
Objectives: Radial jet drilling as an alternative to enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). The sustainability of EGS should be investigated.
 
Project Title: Effizienz und Betriebssicherheitvon Energiesystemen mit saisonaler Energiespeicherung in Aquiferen fürStadtquartiere
Acronym: ATES Berlin
Funding Source: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Amount (EUR): 1.996.888
Period: 01.12.2012 - 30.11.2016
Role: employee
Objectives: exploration, development and operation of a heat storage system with the help of field and laboratory studies as well as by modelling

Research Boards and Committees:

Member of the Science and Education Committee of the Geothermal Association - Federal Geothermal Association

Member WING Germany country team