Carbon Dioxide-Storage in Eastern Brandenburg: Implications for Geothermal Potential and Concept for an Early Warning System for Salt Water Intrusions into Groundwater

While storing carbon dioxide in deep saline aquifers, deep groundwater is displaced from the pore-space within the storage rock formation. The displacement is triggered by an increase of the reservoir pressure. The effects on surrounding formations, especially on cap rock formations, are not yet fully understood. Therefore, the joint research project BRINE couples different hydrological modelling methods to simulate groundwater migration and to predict potential effects like salting of freshwater in upper formations. Furthermore, the potential use of pressure release wells for geothermal energy recovery will be evaluated.

As monitoring a site, a potential CCS location in eastern Brandenburg has been identified.

The main goal of BRINE is to develop an early warning system for upward movement of saline groundwater. To detect such movement, observation methods like geo-electrical sounding as well as magneto-telluric and electro-magnetic measurements will be implemented into the system.

In addition, the project aims to develop a coupled numeric model to indentify the driving forces of saltwater migration in deep geological formations. Together with the implementation of the early warning system, strategies to stop potential salting of ground- and freshwater reserves will be developed and tested.