11.11.2015|Muscat: On Tuesday a new research co-operation initiative between The Research Council of Oman, TRC, and GFZ was launched in Muscat, Oman. In focus of the project, funded by the TRC, is the testing of a continuously operating cooling system using geothermal and solar heat sources and underground storage systems. With a pilot plant in Oman this hybrid technology for the cooling of buildings will be tested as a world first.

With its geographical location, Oman is predestined for the use of solarthermal cooling. “A combination of abundant solar heat with geothermal heat and terrestrial storage guarantees a continuous chill supply”, explains Prof. Ernst Huenges, Head of the International Centre for Geothermal Research at GFZ and leader of the project. To cool via heat energy is based on a technology that uses the heat for compression that then generates chill.

GFZ brings to the interdisciplinary project its comprehensive expertise in the field of underground storage of cold (and heat) and its tailored supply. “We would like to develop our know how and to bring it into service in Oman”, says Prof. Huenges. Partners of the project are the Helmholtz Center Berlin HZB and the Technical University TU of Berlin with their expertise in absorber cooling and solar technologies.

“With this project, the GFZ will start a long lasting collaboration with the Sultanate of Oman to further develop the national research- and innovation system together with our partners from science and business in this country” says Prof. Reinhard Hüttl, Chairman of the GFZ Board and Scientific Executive Director. Furthermore this pilot project is part of a broader collaboration between the Helmholtz Association and the TRC. “Overall goal of this collaboration is the support and technical assistance of the Oman with the establishment of a non-university research institute” says Dr. Ludwig Stroink, Head of International Relations at GFZ and co-author of the strategy concept „The Oman Institute for Advanced Technology Integration – Strategy and Recommendations“, which forms the basis for the TRC-decision to build the new institute. Partner in the Helmholtz-TRC collaboration are the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ in Leipzig.