Utrecht Centre for Sustainable Use of the Subsurface

We contribute to safe, responsible, and sustainable use of the subsurface, supporting the global energy transition

Increasing and evolving use of the subsurface is crucial for ensuring a stable supply of energy, raw materials, and drinking water in short- and long-term future. 

Our current and future society depends on the subsurface for e.g. storage of energy, exploitation of geothermal energy, and extraction of raw critical materials and groundwater. Additionally, the subsurface is increasingly being used for development of urban infrastructure, and subsurface solutions will be also needed for the permanent disposal of radioactive waste, CO2 sequestration, and remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. 

In this research centre, we contribute to a fundamental and multi-scale understanding of the processes involved in these subsurface activities, ensuring safety and minimizing environmental impact, while balancing societal demand.

Research

Our mission and ambition

The Utrecht Centre for Sustainable Subsurface Use contributes to sustainable, responsible, and safe use of the subsurface, supporting the global energy transition.

We integrate fundamental understanding of the Earth System with monitoring of subsurface processes to make evidence-based and accurate assessments of beneficial use of the subsurface, as well as potential hazards associated with these activities. The key to this is a multidisciplinary collaboration among researchers and stakeholders with complementary expertise, enabling inclusive solutions to complex subsurface challenges. We train students to work in multidisciplinary teams, equipping them to tackle societal challenges related to subsurface use and the energy transition.

We bring together expertise from a range of Earth Sciences disciplines to conduct problem-driven fundamental research on subsurface processes including: 

  • The impact of subsurface activities on (bio)geochemical reactions, including bacterial activity, in altering subsurface characteristics
  • Quantifiying risks (e.g. subsidence, earthquakes, and leakage) due to subsurface activities
  • Monitoring and managing changes due to subsurface activities

Integrated expertise

Our research focuses on addressing three coupled fundamental challenges in subsurface use: 

Projects

Research facilities

Our state-of-the-art research facilities are housed in the GeoLab, the Earth Simulation Laboratory (ESL), and the Electron Microscopy Centre in the David de Wied building. Means of access may be available through EPOS-NL and EXCITE2 Network. 

Our lab units include:

A full overview of our research facilities is listed here

Collaborations

Our research aligns with Utrecht University’s strategic theme Pathways to Sustainability and its thematic community Science for Sustainability focusing on sustainability solutions based on fundamental research. We share facilities and expertise through EPOS-NL, EXCITE2 Network, and Structures of Strength. Our fundamental research complements applied research on use of the Dutch subsurface at our strategic partners TNO and Deltares, and stakeholders such as De Mijnraad, SodM, EBN, KNMI, RIVM, KWR, and COVRA.

If you are interested in collaborating, please contact our coordinators. 

Education

Our staff scientists coordinate the ‘Solid Earth’ track in the BSc programme Aardwetenschappen (Earth Sciences), as well as the MSc programmes Earth Structure and Dynamics, Earth Surface and Water,  and Earth Life and Climate. Within these MSc programmes our researchers address the role of solid Earth structure and subsurface processes in relation to geo-energy and mineral resources, geological storage, groundwater remediation, and induced geohazards resulting from human activity. Moreover, scientists from our centre also supervise BSc and MSc theses and internships on subsurface use. 

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