Stefan Kranz from the Section “Geoenergy” at the GFZ was recently appointed to the Guideline Committee "Thermal use of the underground; underground thermal energy storage" of the Association of German Engineers (VDI). The VDI Guideline 4640 deals with underground thermal energy storage, especially in aquifers, which are particularly suitable for the storage of large amounts of heat or cold over long periods of time. Thereby, heat from regenerative sources, waste heat from power plants or environmental cooling can be made available at different intervals. For an optimal integration of such a storage facility into energy systems, many aspects have to be considered ranging from the concept development to the execution and safe operation. These aspects are addressed in the new VDI Guideline "Thermal use of the underground".

Kranz studied Energy Process Engineering and has been working on underground thermal energy storage systems for more than ten years. During this time he has been involved in various research projects on the use of aquifers as thermal energy storage systems, such as the scientific support project on aquifer storage systems for the heat and cold supply of the Berlin Parliament buildings. As a research associate at the GFZ, he works in national and international research projects with a focus on underground thermal storage and deep geothermal energy.