At LIAG, the current key research topics – georesources, groundwater systems, and geohazards — address pressing scientific questions: 

• Are deep geological formations suitable for energy storage?
• What is the likelihood and potential extent of sinkhole occurrences?
• How should measures be dimensioned to minimize the impact of drought periods on groundwater resources as a consequence of climate change?

These questions can be quantitatively answered using mathematical models. Such models allow for predictions, for example, on the future development of an aquifer or reservoir depending on external boundary conditions (e.g. climate or resource management).

The task of the research division “System Integration” is to provide essential input for these numerical models by delivering information on subsurface geometry – comprising architectural elements such as reservoir/cap rock or aquifer/aquitard systems – as well as the physical properties of these elements, such as density, porosity, strength, and permeability. 

Analogous to the terminology used in the hydrocarbon industry, the tasks are divided into static and dynamic modelling. The former involves the creation of geological and geometrical models, and, based on these, the derivation and parameterisation of hydrogeological and geotechnical models.
Dynamic modelling, on the other hand, aims to represent the geological model through mathematical models in order to simulate flow, mass/heat transport, and deformation processes in geosystems.

The division is structured into two research groups:

• Research Group: Static Modelling
  
  This area applies geological and geophysical methods to explore and characterize georeservoirs. Current activities focus on the assessment and modelling of geothermal reservoirs for the utilization of deep geothermal energy.

• Research Group: Dynamic Modelling
  
  Dynamic modelling is dedicated to the development and application of numerical models for simulating flow, mass/heat transport, and deformation processes. The aim is to address application-oriented research questions within the thematic fields of groundwater, geohazards, and georesources.