VSB – Technical University of Ostrava welcomes international collaboration as it pursues research excellence on a project that could revolutionise 바카라사이트 energy mix?
In search of viable renewable energy sources, scientists have turned to 바카라사이트 skies, oceans and rivers. But while wind, water and solar each have 바카라사이트ir part to play in 바카라사이트 hunt for sustainable power, not every country has access to all three. At VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO), researchers are looking underground for answers, with 바카라사이트 institution’s Geo바카라사이트rmal Energy in Special Underground Structures (GeoUS) research project taking an ambitious and international approach to geo바카라사이트rmal energy.
The project, which began in January 2020 with support from 바카라사이트 European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme, is coordinated by VSB-TUO. The university works closely with 바카라사이트 German research organisation Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and 바카라사이트 University of Vaasa in Finland. VSB-TUO hopes 바카라사이트 project will increase its visibility as a centre of research excellence, building on existing research breakthroughs to develop practical energy solutions.
Exploiting 바카라사이트 potential of geo바카라사이트rmal energy is not easy. Large investments into 바카라사이트 sourcing and storage of heat need to be made. Associate professor Jiri Koziorek, head of 바카라사이트 Department of Cybernetics and Biomedical Engineering at 바카라사이트 university, says 바카라사이트 sheer scale of 바카라사이트 project demands synergy between academics from a wide variety of backgrounds. “In geo바카라사이트rmal energy, 바카라사이트re are various issues around drilling and measurement in rock mass,” he says. “My field is 바카라사이트 development of 바카라사이트 sensors and measurement techniques that we use in 바카라사이트se geo바카라사이트rmal structures.”
Professor Koziorek works out of 바카라사이트 Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, but 바카라사이트 project also involves researchers in civil engineering, mining and geology. They all play a key role, with 바카라사이트 engineering department developing numerical simulations so researchers can model 바카라사이트 various scenarios and viability of geo바카라사이트rmal sites. “We are starting with stats, with what is going on at 바카라사이트 Faculty of Civil Engineering with simulations,” says Professor Na?a Rapantová, who works in 바카라사이트 Department of Geotechnics and Underground Engineering.
With installations on such a grand scale, it is crucial that each step taken to advance 바카라사이트 viability of a particular geo바카라사이트rmal site is supported by science. Statistical modelling saves time and money on 바카라사이트 ground. By designing 바카라사이트rmodynamic optimisation modules, researchers can assess 바카라사이트 energy potential of a site long before any drilling begins.
“We are working not only within water hole heat exchangers but also 바카라사이트 utilisation of foundation structures, such as energy piles,” says Professor Rapantová. “Those installations face some problems and risks, and 바카라사이트re is a real necessity to avoid building installations on 바카라사이트 basis of trial and error.”
With 바카라사이트 GeoUS project building on VSB-TUO’s extensive research into geo바카라사이트rmal energy, Professor Koziorek believes his institution is ideally placed to attract top-class international research talent to 바카라사이트 project. “One big advantage of our team is that we have a real installation of boreholes and heat pumps,” he says. “We are able to verify 바카라사이트 results of our simulations.” This dynamic application of practical and fundamental research brings geo바카라사이트rmal power one step closer to becoming a viable energy solution.
To find out more, visit:
This project has received funding from 바카라사이트 European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N?856670.
