Are you interested in developing screening methods to enable subsurface strong storage? If you enjoy working at the interface between geoscience and engineering then this project may be right for you.
Job description
The geological storage of hydrogen is a promising alternative for large-scale energy storage in support of expanding renewable energy systems. The North Sea has hundreds of depleted and abandoned gas fields that are potential storage sites. Robust screening procedures are necessary to select the most suitable reservoirs in terms of geology.
Using advanced geological modelling and numerical simulation techniques, this position will investigate the geological controls on hydrogen storage in depleted natural gas fields of the Bunter sandstone, an important formation in the North Sea. Specifically, the position will investigate how chemical reactions impact the recovery rates of hydrogen during cyclic hydrogen storage, and how engineering designs (e.g., well controls) can be optimised to maximise hydrogen recovery given the different depletion states of the reservoirs.
The ultimate aim is to develop a set of geologically-informed screening techniques and performance criteria that enable us to quickly assess rank and identify the most promising fields for cyclic hydrogen storage such that they can be assessed in more detail using traditional reservoir characterisation, modelling, and simulation techniques.
The specific tasks for this project are:
- Adapt the open-DARTS simulator to account for chemical reactions during subsurface hydrogen storage and calibrate reaction parameters using experimental data.
- Perform numerical simulations of subsurface hydrogen storage including chemical reactions for an ensemble of geological models that were developed in the Rapid Reservoir Modelling software.
- Develop an experimental design to quantify how reservoir properties and engineering parameters impact the recovery rate and overall performance of subsurface hydrogen storage.
- Analyse the simulation results to identify clusters of typical reservoir behaviours and link these clusters back to geological properties to understand (i) how we can engineer the reservoir to maximise the performance of cyclic hydrogen storage and (ii) develop screening parameters that allow us to rank and prioritise the most promising reservoirs.
- Liase with the geoscientists and reservoir engineers from the sponsoring company to present and review the results (through presentations and reports) and regularly meeting with these experts to discuss the next research steps.
- Present the results at conferences and prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication.
Job requirements
- Strong understanding how we can integrate reservoir characterisation and reservoir engineering to improve the management of low-carbon energy sources such as geothermal energy, CO2 storage, or hydrogen storage.
- Demonstrable experience in simulating and analysing coupled multi-physics processes (e.g., heat and fluid flow, chemical reactions and fluid flow) related to low-carbon energy sources in the subsurface.
- Hands-on knowledge in Python programming.
- Experience in working with open-source reservoir simulation software, including adapting the software for specific simulation exercises.
- Experience in developing and applying screening and clustering techniques to group simulation results and identify and quantify representative flow behaviours.
- Excellent communication skills, both in written and oral form.
- An independent and problem-solving approach to research.
- Experience in working in joint-industry projects and working closely with industry partners.
This position is available for candidates who hold at least an MSc degree. Candidates without a PhD degree will be considered if they can demonstrate that they have the relevant experience.
About TU Delft
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.
to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.
Application procedure
We are acutely aware that we are a diverse society and not every talented applicant will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore pledge to fully account for any particular circumstances that the applicants disclose (e.g. Parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process that does not rely purely on common research metrics.
Please note
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
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- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.