Search

In this paper, the motivation and the scientific concept of a number of European modellinggroups is presented sharing the idea of the common development of a generic modellingframework for coupled physico-chemical processes characterising energy-related geoscientificapplications. Within the context of the European policy of transformation of energy technologies,the geological underground becomes a specific focus of attention in terms of: i) energysource, ii) energy storage, and iii) energy waste disposal. All these geoscientific applicationshave the observation of very similar complex multiphysics porous media processes in the subsurfaceformations in common. Thus, assessing the behaviour of geo-reservoirs under differentoperating conditions requires the analysis of complex coupled processes at the reservoirscale. The full length and time scales for which the performance of geological sites must beassessed are not amenable to direct investigation by laboratory studies or field investigations.The only practical option for predicting the long-term behaviour of geo-reservoirs is numericalanalysis, constrained by the understanding gained from the relatively short-term laboratoryand field-scale experiments available, and natural analogue systems. Modelling and simulationof thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical processes in the subsurface require the developmentof sophisticated mathematical models, numerical algorithms and software tools that have tobe adapted to the needs of real world applications. As the development of scientific softwarefor complex geoscientific problems is beyond the capabilities of individual groups, the maininnovation of the presented cooperative initiative would be the development of an integratedframework, capable of simulating all known relevant processes involved in the geotechnical useof the subsurface. This facilitates substantial progress in understanding of long-term fate of theconsidered formations, particularly directed to large scale deploymen