In a chaotic system, like moist convection, it is difficult to separate the impact of a physical process from effects of natural variability. This is because modifying even a small element of the system physics typically leads to a different system evolution. This paper discusses a relatively simple and computationally efficient modelling methodology that allows separation of the physical impact from differences originating from contrasting flow realizations.

The focus of the paper is to evaluate the permeability change of a matrix-fracture systems under mechanical loading und to understand the processes behind. This evaluation is based on data from laboratory experiments in comparison to 3-D numerical modelling results.

Faint earth tremors may occur when exploiting geological reservoirs to extract hydrocarbons, produce geothermal energy, or store CO2. This microseismicity may reveal the location of fractures within the reservoir, and the mechanical stresses acting on them. We present and demonstrate (on laboratory data) a new workflow for analysing microseismic data, considering fracture models relevant to geoengineering applications to infer fracture mechanisms and the stress conditions local to them.

In this study, we are interested in quantifying natural fracture density variability, at any scale. We develop and numerically validate analytical solutions considering stochastic Discrete Fracture Networks, with application to networks following power-law fracture size distributions. Particularly, we show that for this kind of networks, the scaling of three-dimensional fracture density variability clearly depends on the power-law exponent, but not on the orientation distribution.

A potential post-closure release of radionuclides from a KBS-3 spent fuel repository depends on the failure modes of copper canisters. It is generally accepted that a combined erosion/corrosion case and future large earthquakes could cause such failures. In paper, we address other proposed failure modes, not by assessing their relative merits but rather their potential consequences. It is judged that a hypothetical poor creep ductility of copper would have the largest potential consequences.

This study compares the environmental performances of the combination of anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis technologies in different regions of the world focusing on alternative uses of biogas. Using biogas as transportation fuel in Sweden has significant environmental advantages over other scenarios, biogas for heat and electricity in the power sector in Brazil and biogas for cooking in households in China.

The aim of the EU funded Cheap-GSHPs project is to reduce the total installation cost of closed-loop shallow geothermal systems. As part of the project a Decision Support System has been developed and released on the web, in order to support the designers. The paper presents the databases that support the DSS: the databases collect and elaborate all the preliminary data necessary during the sizing, such as the geological and drilling aspects as well as the heating and cooling building demand.

Since current efforts are insufficient to limit global warming “to well below 2 °C” until 2100, as agreed upon in the Paris Agreement, the need to rely on new technological solutions, designated as geoengineering, is almost unavoidable. I found that even ‘green’ forms of geoengineering would conflict with the human right to adequate food. Therefore, I conclude that we should not rely on a single geoengineering technology but favorize a mix of various technologies and increase mitigation efforts.

The aim of the study is to identify the essential parameters of a sustainable expansion of renewable energies from the diversity of potential influencing factors and to illustrate them based on a regional case study. The analyses reveal the great regional assertiveness of photovoltaics, whereby wind energy can assert itself due to social parameters also at some locations, particularly in the central part of the study area, against the economically often better positioned photovoltaics.

In this study we compare meteorological observations from a set of different measuring devices with each other in order to derive information about their quality and mutual consistency. We consider data from terrestrial measuring devices, satellite observations, space observations, weather balloons and weather models provided by weather agencies. The results in general show very good accordance and interchangeability between the various solutions.

The study presented in this paper aims at reproducing findings from chemical and isotopic groundwater sample analysis along with quantifying the influence of regional (cross-boundary) flow for the area of Berlin, Germany. For this purpose we built 3-D models of the subsurface, populating them with material parameters (e.g. porosity, permeability) and solving them for coupled fluid and heat transport. Special focus was given to the setup of boundary conditions, i.e. fixed pressure at the sides.

An 8-year dataset of erosion monitoring (e.g. agricultural management, rainfall, runoff, sediment delivery) is made available. It covers 14 adjoining and partly nested watersheds (sizes 1–14 ha) that were cultivated following integrated (4 crops) and organic farming (7 crops and grassland) practices. Drivers of erosion and runoff were determined and with high spatial and temporal detail. The data set closes the gap between plot research and watershed research.

Fluid injection in a geologic layer shifts pressure and stress conditions and may trigger the reactivation of pre-existing faults. We present an approach to describe changes in the stress-field upon such an induced seismic event by applying characteristic stress-drop terms based on reported literature values for a great variety of earthquakes, even at very different magnitudes. The article illustrates exemplary results and discusses also the effect of permeability on expectable seismicity.