April: Florian Bauer (KIT)

Florian Bauer heads the DeepStor project at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the “Geology and Hydrology” research group. He completed his doctorate at the Technical University of Berlin and worked there afterwards as a research assistant. In 2020, he moved to KIT, where he took over the management of the DeepStor project in 2024. We spoke to him in an interview about his work and his personal motivation.

Interview: 

What are you currently working on?

Florian Bauer: I am currently working on the implementation of a concept for the subsequent use of former oil fields in the Upper Rhine Graben for heat storage. In the “DeepStor” project, we are preparing to drill an exploratory well to investigate the geological properties of the reservoir in detail and assess its suitability for seasonal high-temperature heat storage.
I find the idea of re-using hydrocarbon reservoirs as part of the energy transition particularly exciting. The existing geological reservoirs are being converted into a CO₂-neutral heat supply. This requires not only a deep understanding of underground processes, but also intensive coordination with authorities, careful technical planning and interdisciplinary cooperation.
In the heating sector in particular, such storage facilities can play a decisive role - as a link between generation and consumption, between summer and winter.

What is your personal motivation?

Florian Bauer: I am motivated by the fact that the team's work could provide a concrete piece of the puzzle for the heat transition here in the region. The aim is to further develop existing geological data and models from the oil production era using the latest methods and to create new models with a focus on the geothermal use of the medium-deep subsurface.
I am particularly interested in the complex challenges of integrating science, technology and approval, the interaction of many players. The visualization of the results using a wide variety of methods also remains exciting, in order to make the models understandable to people from outside the field.

What kind of challenges are you facing in the near future?

Florian Bauer: One of the biggest challenges is the interdisciplinary coordination within the projects: Geology, drilling technology, construction planning, water protection, safety - all of these must be reconciled, often with very different perspectives and requirements. This requires clear communication, mutual understanding and a good presentation of the projects, the benefits and also the risks.

At the same time, prudent project planning is crucial. There are many complex steps involved in exploratory drilling, from the schedule to logistics and data acquisition. This requires not only technical precision, but also the ability to think realistically about processes and remain flexible. Teamwork is particularly important here.

If you could make a wish for something for your research, what would you wish for?

Florian Bauer: First and foremost, I would like to see even more interdisciplinary exchange - across institute and subject boundaries. Geoscience, energy technology, construction planning, data analysis and also social perspectives can be considered together. Particularly with complex systems such as seasonal underground heat storage, it is crucial that specialist disciplines work together at an early stage and on an equal footing.

The joint development of solutions, from geological exploration to technical implementation and communicative involvement of the public, is challenging but also very exciting.

I see great potential in this networking - for viable concepts that are not only scientifically sound, but also socially compatible.

Where do you see your discipline in 5-10 years?

Florian Bauer: I assume that the use of the medium-deep underground for heat storage will become increasingly important in the coming years - especially in combination with industrial heat sources and renewable energy. Initial demonstration projects such as ours can provide important experience in this regard.

In the future, I see projects even more strongly at the interface between geoscience, technology and planning. The aim will be to re-evaluate existing historical geological data, better quantify uncertainties and develop realistic operating concepts for underground storage facilities.

If we succeed in considering geological storage as one of several options for heat supply, this would be an important step - both scientifically and socially.

ORCID: 0000-0003-3977-9309