Advancing the Future of Geo-Energy Systems: Innovations in Methods, Models, and Deployment

Dear Colleagues,

Geo-energy systems play an increasingly important role in the global transition toward sustainable and low-carbon energy systems. The subsurface offers unique opportunities for a wide range of energy-related applications, including geothermal energy production, geological carbon storage (CCS/CCUS), underground hydrogen storage, and large-scale subsurface energy storage. These technologies rely on a deep understanding of subsurface processes as well as advances in reservoir engineering, energy system design, and integrated energy management.

Among these technologies, geothermal energy provides reliable baseload renewable power and direct heat utilization. At the same time, emerging geo-energy concepts such as enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), CO₂-based geothermal systems, geological carbon sequestration, and underground hydrogen storage, highlight the growing importance of integrated subsurface energy solutions. Unlocking the full potential of these geo-energy technologies requires innovative methods, experimental investigations, advanced numerical modeling, and practical engineering applications.

This Special Issue, “Advancing the Future of Geo-Energy Systems: Innovations in Methods, Models, and Deployment,” aims to collect cutting-edge research that advances the understanding, development, and deployment of geo-energy technologies. We seek contributions presenting innovative methodologies, modeling frameworks, experimental studies, and engineering applications addressing key challenges in subsurface energy extraction, storage, and management.

We welcome original research articles and comprehensive review papers focusing on, but not limited to, the following themes:

1. Innovative Methods and Conceptual Advances

Novel approaches for resource assessment and reservoir characterization in geo-energy systems; data-driven and machine learning methods for analyzing subsurface energy processes; innovative drilling and well construction technologies; and new concepts for integrated geo-energy systems combining geothermal energy, carbon storage, and hydrogen storage.

2. Experimental and Laboratory-Scale Investigations

Laboratory experiments simulating subsurface conditions under high temperature and pressure; experimental studies on rock mechanics, multiphase flow, and fluid–rock interactions relevant to geothermal production, CO₂ sequestration, and hydrogen storage; investigations of alternative working fluids such as supercritical CO₂; and laboratory validation of technologies for subsurface energy storage and utilization.

3. Advanced Numerical Simulation and Modeling

Development and application of advanced multi-physics models for coupled thermal–hydrological–mechanical–chemical (THMC) processes in geo-energy systems; high-performance computing for uncertainty quantification, forecasting, and optimization of subsurface energy operations; and innovative approaches such as reduced-order models, digital twins, and AI-driven surrogate models for real-time reservoir and storage system management.

4. Engineering Applications and Field Case Studies

Field-scale demonstrations of geothermal energy extraction, CO₂ geological storage, and underground hydrogen storage; engineering design and performance analysis of geothermal power plants and subsurface storage facilities; integration of geo-energy systems into district heating networks and broader energy systems; and techno-economic and life-cycle assessments of emerging geo-energy technologies.

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for interdisciplinary research that bridges fundamental science and engineering practice in geo-energy systems. By bringing together advances in methods, experiments, modeling, and real-world deployment, the issue seeks to contribute to the development of efficient, reliable, and scalable subsurface energy solutions supporting the global energy transition.

Dr. Han Yu
Dr. Yangyang Qiao
Dr. Pål Østebø Andersen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• geothermal energy
• subsurface energy storage
• numerical simulation
• field application