From the LabEx G-eau-thermie Profonde to the ITI G-eau-TE
The ITI G-eau-TE is one of 11 interdisciplinary projects to be funded over the next 8 years (2021-2028) at the University of Strasbourg. It draws on the scientific expertise acquired since 2012 by the LabEx G-eau-thermie Profonde and its industrial and institutional partners. Beyond 2021, the ITI Geosciences for the Energy Systems Transition will broaden the scope of the LabEx GP to the role of deep groundwater in renewable geo-resources beyond deep geothermal energy.
A response to the global ecological crisis
The ITI G-Eau-TE aims to respond to the challenges posed by the global ecological crisis and demonstrates the University’s commitment to thinking about new renewable energy resources. Research will focus on low-carbon and carbon-neutral technologies that can be integrated into sustainable energy networks, including geothermal exploitation, heat storage, carbon sequestration, lithium production, and hydrogen production. The ultimate objective is to advance scientific knowledge and respond to societal questions related to environmental issues, in an international context.
A new direction for research…
With a demanding, international-facing training programme backed by cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and developed in collaboration with industrial and public partners, the ITI G-eau-TE centers its actions on an innovative subject: the role of deep groundwater in the development and co-production of geo-energy resources such as geothermal, hydrogen, lithium, heat storage and CO2 sequestration. Beyond energy development, G-eau-TE also strives to study the environmental and societal impacts linked to energy exploitation of the subsurface, in particular on drinking water resources and induced / triggered seismicity.
… and teaching
This new initiative is also an opportunity to expand the geosciences training at EOST towards the energy transition. In particular, the EOST engineering school now has the opportunity and resources to become a leader in training the next generation of internationally recognised geo-scientists specialising in renewable energies.
To do this, EOST will offer a new degree programme: the international Master, co-sponsored by the IFP School, entitled “Geosciences for the Energy Systems Transition”. Emphasis will be placed on cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research in cooperation with industry, to provide students with a wide range of post-graduate career opportunities.
Research and industry facing new global challenges
Over the duration of the LabEx GP, various collaborations with industrial partners have enabled collaborative work on common energy themes. The international appeal of the ITI G-eau-TE tends towards a broadening of skills and industrial partnerships. The ITI G-eau-TE and its partners are opening up new avenues and ideas for energy innovation.
Research units
École et Observatoire des sciences de la Terre (EOST)
Institut de physique du globe de Strasbourg (IPGS)
Laboratoire d’hydrologie et de géochimie de Strasbourg (LHyGES)
Laboratoire des sciences de l’ingénieur, de l’informatique et de l’imagerie (ICube)
Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Sciences de l’Éducation et de la Communication (Lisec)
Centre de recherche sur les médiations (CREM, Université de Lorraine)
Sociétés, Acteurs, Gouvernement en Europe (Sage)
Doctoral school
Sciences de la Terre et l’Environnement
Academic and industry partners
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
IFP School (École nationale supérieure du pétrole et des moteurs)
NGI (Norwegian Geotechnical Institute)
Storengy
Total
Coordination
Jean Schmittbuhl, Director of Research, CNRS
Patrick Baud, Professor, Université de Strasbourg
Alexandra Kushnir, Project Manager, EOST