Investigations on soil mechanical behavior and simulation of geotechnical gravitational energy storage (GGES)

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Hans Henning Stutz
• Subject Area: Geotechnics, Hydraulic Engineering
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 548951288

Geotechnical gravitational energy storage (GGES) is a crucial contribution to addressing the challenges of the energy transition. However, these potential energy storage methods have been relatively underexplored, and the various soil mechanical mechanisms that lead to a reduction in storage efficiency are not yet fully understood. Simplified, the use of trap-door tests, well-known in soil mechanics, can aid in understanding GGES. Therefore, as part of this project, experimental trap-door tests are being conducted to explore these mechanisms in more detail. These tests serve to develop a method for better understanding such systems and being able to calculate them using numerical techniques. The aim of the research project is to calculate and optimize different system geometries and configurations as plane 2D and 3D boundary value problems using these methods. The modularization of such systems is also being examined.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants