The UNEXMIN (Horizon 2020) and UNEXUP (EIT RawMaterials) projects developed a novel technology to send robots and even autonomously deliver optical images, 3D maps and other georeferenced scientific data from flooded underground environments, like abandoned mines, caves or wells. The concept turned into a market-ready solution in seven years, where the last few years of field trials of the development beautifully demonstrating the technology’s premier capabilities.

By testing the strength of granite in compression and tension at a range of deformation rates, we found that the strength increases with faster deformation. This observation highlights that at these rates, relevant for example to geothermal exploration, we have to consider how the rate of deformation impacts the energy released when rocks crack. The results are promising for developing safe procedures for extracting resources from the subsurface.

Uranium migration for a close to real case situation is quantified with reactive transport simulations using input data from the deep geothermal borehole Schlattingen, which is near the targeted area in Switzerland, and including the effect of the multi-barrier system on the source term. The hydrogeological system must always be considered in safety assessments since adjacent aquifers have a major impact on the pore water geochemistry, and hence sorption processes.

In the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority's (SSM) licensing review of the application to construct and operate a spent fuel repository at the Forsmark site various concerns related to canister degradation processes were brought up. Some of these concerns were initiated by stakeholders and independent scientists. This paper provides a brief summary of a selection of these concerns, and describes how they were dealt with in the review process.

The paper reviews the societal and energy impacts of Storm Franz in Europe on 11–12 November 2007. An analysis is conducted of tide gauges around the North Sea to trace the progression of the storm surge and assess if the surge passage was associated with large measured waves and maritime casualties. A North Sea rogue wave incident had occurred on 1 November 2006, causing damage to the FINO1 research tower, and it is unclear how prevalent these waves are during North Sea storms.

This study focuses on the optimization of open-loop shallow geothermal systems to improve their efficiency and sustainability. Different approaches to solve optimization problems in this field are explored, their strengths and limitations are highlighted, and recommendations are given for their use and future developments. The study can be a valuable basis for researchers and practitioners involved in the management and optimization of shallow geothermal systems.

A multi-salinity experiment was conducted in three tight clay-bearing (kaolinite, chlorite, and glauconite) sandstones to study the impact of clay on their petrophysical properties. Chlorite sandstone presented higher electrochemical interaction, followed by glauconite and kaolinite. In the geothermal context, this investigation highlights the importance of ensuring that the correct fluid chemistry is used in clay-bearing geothermal reservoirs.