The subsurface plays a crucial and increasingly important role in sustainably cooling and heating buildings. Martin’s vision is that the enormous potential of this renewable energy source must be maximized and preserved for future generations.
Martin is a specialist in Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) and works on various studies focused on utilizing sustainable heat through seasonal storage in the subsurface. In these endeavors, Martin always considers the system as a whole, not only the subsurface itself, but also consumers and the necessary facilities to utilize the available heat. This holistic approach is why Martin has extensive knowledge of related and complementary techniques, ranging from well and borehole drilling and completion technology to heat pumps, building facilities, and control systems. His focus is not limited to technical aspects; he also addresses organizational and policy-based issues related to sustainable heating and cooling, as these are key to the optimal and practical utilization of subsurface resources.
At TU Delft, Martin works on various projects to further develop UTES and teaches courses at multiple levels and faculties.
In addition to his appointment at Delft University of Technology, Martin holds a leading position in UTES at TNO, the Dutch Geological Survey. The combination of TNO and TU Delft enables Martin to develop proof of concept for new ideas at the university and subsequently implement them in pilot projects with industry partners at TNO—bridging science and practice.
Sustainable energy has received substantial attention in recent years and decades. Heat constitutes the largest part of global energy demand (for space heating/cooling, industry, etc.). As with many other renewable energy sources, the biggest challenge with sustainable heat is managing the variability in availability and demand. Heat storage is a major solution for matching heat supply to demand. Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) and borehole heat exchangers are therefore among the most important geothermal energy technologies for enabling sustainable heating and cooling systems in buildings, providing cost-effective and large-scale storage. Both high-quality research and education, as well as large-scale adoption of UTES technology, are needed in the coming decades at national and international levels.
Martin leads and supervises many research and demonstration projects within the scope of:
- Optimal and sustainable use of the subsurface
- Integration of UTES (subsurface systems) with building facilities and district heating networks (control and optimization)
- Well and borehole technologies (drilling, completion)
- Spatial planning, governance, and legislation
- Potential mapping and adoption
- Barrier analysis and solutions
Within AMS, Martin focuses on the integration of underground thermal energy solutions in dense urban settings.