Mine Thermal Energy Storage Bochum

Objective
A feasibility study will be carried out on a pilot plant for thermal storage in a closed coal mine at the former Open factory (plant I) in Bochum-Laer, which will contribute to the recently-developed commercial center (Bochum Perspektive 2022) and the district heating network Bochum-Süd (110 MW installed capacity). Theoretical and experimental questions as well as legal issues will be addressed regarding this topic.

Implementation
In the project, a seasonal thermal reuse concept for coal mines that are no longer in operation will be developed at the former Opel factory (plant I) in Bochum-Laer. Based on this, a doublet with directional drilling is planned in the rock section of the Zeche Dannenbaum coal mine in order to make the use of mine water and thermal energy storage possible. All private legal matters between E. ON AG as successor and STW Bochum as the future operator of a pilot plant as well as all public law approvals from mining and water authorities and building permits are to be resolved. Furthermore, a comprehensive risk and hazard assessment of a plant operation is conducted, in which thermal, seismic, and hydraulic effects of the operation of a heat accumulator are considered. Flow and heat transfer models from delta H provide indispensable support and planning tools for this purpose.