Assessing subsurface potentials of the Alpine Foreland Basins for sustainable planning and use of natural resources
To meet the EU’s ambitious targets for carbon emission reduction, renewable energy production must strongly be upgraded and made more efficient and capable for grid energy storage. Alpine Foreland Basins feature a unique geological inventory which can contribute substantially to tackle these challenges. Deep ‘Molasse’ basins at the fringe of the Alpine mountain range offer an abundant geothermal potential and storage capacity for weather-dependent wind and solar energy, as well as space for underground storage of gas or CO2. Exploiting these natural subsurface resources (geo-potentials) will strongly compete with existing oil and gas claims and groundwater issues. Thus, the efficient use and sustainable management of geo-potentials requires a holistic and transnational approach. In order to serve transnational decision-making, GeoMol will provide consistent 3-dimensional subsurface information based on coherent evaluation methods and commonly developed criteria and guidelines.