GeoMTES

Objective
The central objective of the Geo-MTES project is the development of a technically and economically viable thermal storage concept for energy reuse in the Prosper-Haniel mine in form of a thermal storage for unused heat energy. The core idea is to collect and redirect to the mine structure unused heat from industrial and power plant processes and/or solar energy generated in the surrounding mining area, and to use it in winter, if necessary.

Implementation
The Prosper-Haniel coal mine will be fully operational until the end of 2018; therefore, the target heat storage concepts may be developed and established there. As a basis for seasonal heat storage, undisturbed rock temperatures of 30-50 °C can be used inside the mine structure. The Prosper-Haniel mine has 141 km of road network and a total mining area of 165 km² at its disposal. Hence, large-volume heat accumulation may be achieved within the mine building.

The groundwater flow and heat transport model provides important insight and valuable tools for realization of this goal.