Inhaltsbereich
Geoengineering Centres
Understanding the many different processes that occur within the Earth and at its surface is not the only goal of geoscientific research into the Earth system. One of the tasks of the GFZ is also to transfer the resulting scientific knowledge into corresponding technologies. The applications are many and varied. They range from the use of underground spaces, over the securing of georesources to reducing the risk associated with natural disasters. Since the topics of our four geoengineering centers are interdisciplinary, specialists from the various sections of the GFZ work in them together with external scientists and colleagues from industrial partners.
Centre for CO2 Storage
The focus of the research at the Center for CO2 Storage is directed to the question of whether carbon dioxide can be stored safely underground over the longterm. Such storage is increasingly being considered as an option for reducing the emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere. We test and develop new technologies to monitor storage in porous rocks deep underground, and investigate the interactions that take place between rocks and fluids. In cooperation with national and international colleagues, we are operating the first European continental field laboratory for CO2 storage near the town of Ketzin in Brandenburg.
International Centre for Geothermal Research IGC
The use of geothermal energy becomes an important issue of future energy supply within strategies for the mitigation of climate changes. The International Center for Geothermal Research (ICGR) meets this challenge by developing reliable geothermal technologies and innovative concepts of a sustainable economic energy supply.
Centre for Early Warning EWS
GITEWS (German Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System) is a project of the German Federal Government to aid the reconstruction of the tsunami-prone region of the Indian Ocean. It is accomplished by a consortium of nine instutions under the leadership of the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences.
PACE
PACE, tasked with the development and use of realtime position and navigation information with precision in decimeters and centimeters, is still being developed. This "Precise Application Center" is a joint project of the German Center for Aerospace Research (DLR) and the GFZ. Together, the researchers will use the three existing satellite systems (American GPS, Russian GLONASS and the European system GALILEO) to develop new, extremely precise products and services which will be of interest to a broad range of users.