
GeoSmaGriR: Smart Solar Geothermal Energy Grid Ruhr
Flexible and decentralised feed of solar and geothermal heat into heat networks using existing supply and grid structures
The project envisages the development of an intelligent system of decentralised producers of solar and geothermal heat, seasonal storage in decomissioned coal mine infrastructure and existing heat networks, using the specific infrastructural constraints of the Ruhr region. In order to link bidirectional thermal consumer/producer systems, a distributed system architecture is required where both consumers and producers can be connected by intelligent IoT middleware and cost effective control devices via hardware solutions and a cloud based software platform.
The primary project objectives are:
- Identify efficient and reliable thermal storage systems in mining infrastructure.
- Preclude possible risks, such as the geomechanical integrity of the storage and its effect on the surface as well as possible environmental damages.
- Dynamic simulation of energy flows with an accurate analysis of the hydraulic and temporal processes of the individual components (producers and consumers) in order to develop control strategies for the totality of the system.
- Develop a low cost smart device controller in order to record the relevant parameters of the subsystems in the grid.
- Transform the heating networks into autonomous cyber-physical systems and connect them to a software platform.
- CPS and cloud-based monitoring and control of the entire system, which takes into account the respective network conditions and implementation of smart services.
What makes this project especial?
- An existing initial situation a schallenge: the Ruhr conurbation as an urban agglomeration with a unique district heating system and extensive unused mining infrastructure.
- Until now, old mines had not been considered for thermal energy storage.
- Use of innovative energy converting systems (e.g., heat transformer.)
- Systemic energy management concept with concrete prototype development of cost-effective hardware components.
Project begin: 01 January, 2017
Subprojects
Participating ruhrvalley partners

Hochschule Bochum
For us, teaching and research are inconceivable without the aspect of sustainability. As the biggest university of applied...

com2m GmbH
More than just software. We will advise you and work together with you to work out a concept with the right solutions in M2M...

Westfälische Hochschule
Research creates the future. Whether new energy supply concepts, internet safety, intelligent mechatronic systems or new...

Institute for Internet Security
The Institute for Internet Security - if(is) is an innovative, independent, scientific facility of the Westphalian University...

Institute for Communication Technology
The Institute for Communication Technology was founded in 1995, and since then, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ingo Kunold has been at its...

Westphalian Energy Institute
The Westphalian Energy Institute (WEI) is a central scientific institution of the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences...

geomecon GmbH
Geological investigations and simulations for heat storage in mines

University of Applied Sciences Dortmund
We are a university of applied sciences and arts with deep roots and commitments in the region, but with an international focus...

Institute for the Digital Transformation of Application and Living Domains
Information on funding and further project participants
Funding code: 13FH0I11IA, 13FH0I12IA, 13FH0I13IA

