Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria
The Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria (GAB) addresses questions of research and practice in the field of deep geothermal energy.
The overall objective of the GAB is to strengthen geothermal energy as a renewable energy resource for the domestic energy market so that it can make a significant contribution to the CO2-reduction targets.
The Molasse basin in Bavaria is the hot spot for the geothermal use in Germany. For this reason, three Bavarian universities, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and the University of Bayreuth (UBT) have joined forces in 2016 under the framework of the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria (GAB) to meet research needs and clarify open scientific questions. Since 2020, the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich and the Munich University of Applied Sciences have joined the research group. Beyond the outstanding research, the joint project has launched a platform for the knowledge and data transfer between science, industry and politics. The demand in the area of training qualified young people is covered by a joint Master's program "GeoThermie / GeoEnergy" at FAU and TUM.
With its integrated approach the GAB research empowers a close cooperation of engineers and geoscientists facilitating a direct glance beyond the borders of the respective subdisciplines.
Master's program
The joint degree Master's program GeoThermie / GeoEnergy successfully established by FAU and TUM in the winter semester 2017/18 is further continued, integrating the expertise of newly appointed professorships. Moving forward, the program aims to offer methodological summer / field schools, workshops and seminars on current geothermal energy topics open to the public. The regular teaching content is designed to cover the entire spectrum of deep geothermal energy and promote innovative, interdisciplinary thinking in the interest of the proper utilisation of geothermal energy resources. This is ensured by the teaching and research expertise of 7 faculties of FAU, TUM and LMU, as well as external lecturers with industrial experience. The direct connection to the GAB makes it possible to pass on current research findings to students in a practice-oriented manner and to integrate them into ongoing research work during their studies. As knowledge multipliers, the students can make a significant contribution to a better understanding of deep geothermal energy along with the promotion of an energy-conscious and open-minded attitude towards new technology developments in the public.
