Utrecht partnership for the sustainable use of the subsurface

As part of the collaboration, researchers from both organisations will work together on new research proposals and projects. They will also supervise PhD students and interns and publish joint scientific articles. The researchers will focus on what happens in the subsurface, how heat, pressure and substances behave there, and how these processes can be better measured, monitored and predicted.

Importance of the subsurface

The subsurface is indispensable for major societal challenges. Think of geothermal energy, drinking water, CO₂ storage and the safe development of the living environment. At the same time, the subsurface is becoming increasingly crowded, making multifunctional use and the balancing of different interests within it increasingly important. This is another reason why more knowledge is needed about how the subsurface works and how we can use it sustainably and responsibly.

Tirza van Daalen, director of TNO Geological Survey of the Netherlands:

“By combining our scientific knowledge and research capacity, we can develop new insights more quickly and translate them into solutions that make a difference in practice.”

Annemarie van Wezel, Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University.

"The collaboration aims to ensure that fundamental research and practical application reinforce each other more effectively. In this way, we are laying a stronger foundation for the responsible and future-proof use of the subsurface. "

About the organisations

TNO’s Geological Survey of the Netherlands is the independent knowledge institute that makes subsurface knowledge understandable and applicable for societal decisions. The Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University provides education and research on the Earth and the transition to a sustainable world, from local to global scale.