Prof. Michael Z. Hou, Ph.D., Eng., habil.

Director of the China Competence Center at Clausthal University of Technology
; China Liaison Officer for the Executive Board

Rock Mechanics

Head of the Rock Mechanics Research Group
Head of the China Competence Center at Clausthal University of Technology
China Representative of the Executive Board

• International cooperative project of the NSFC (4 partners: Sichuan University, China University of Mining and Technology, TU Clausthal, EFZN): Basic research on energy storage in caverns constructed in highly impure rock salt in China (2012–2016, project leader in Germany)
• International cooperative project of MOST (4 partners: Sichuan University, China University of Mining and Technology, TU Clausthal, EFZN): Cooperative study on CO₂ storage and utilization in saline aquifers (2012–2015, project leader in Germany)
• International cooperative project of DFG/NFSC (6 partners: TU Clausthal, EFZN, GFZ, Sichuan University, Institute of Rock & Soil Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northeast Petroleum University): Underground storage of CO₂ and energy (2010–2014, project leader in Germany)
• BMBF project (03G0704Q) as part of the flagship project “CLEAN – CO₂ Large-Scale EGR in the Altmark Natural Gas Field” with 17 partners: Development, testing, and modeling of an innovative long-term well sealing concept under CO2 influence (2008–2011, project leader)
• BMBF project (03G0704Q) as part of the flagship project “CLEAN – CO₂ Large-Scale EGR in the Altmark Natural Gas Field” with 17 partners: Numerical investigations of THM-coupled processes in the near-reservoir field (2008–2011, project leader)
• International cooperative project of NSFC (5 partners: Sichuan University, China University of Mining and Technology, Institute of Rock & Soil Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, TU Clausthal, EFZN): Design of gas and oil storage caverns in salt rock and optimization of operating parameters (2007–2010)
• International cooperative project of MOST (5 partners: Sichuan University, China University of Mining and Technology, Institute of Rock & Soil Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, TU Clausthal, EFZN): Basic research on CO₂ sequestration in rock salt caverns (2007–2010)

• BMWi Project (0325662F) as part of the MAGS2 collaborative project “Microseismic Activity of Geothermal Systems 2 – From Individual Systems to Large-Scale Utilization” with 7 partners (BGR, Clausthal University of Technology, University of Munich, University of Kiel, Free University of Berlin, University of Bochum, TUBAF): Development of numerical analysis models for local seismic hazard assessment prior to drilling and long-term evaluation of geothermal fields, taking into account THM:C coupled processes (2013–2017, Project Leader)
• BMU Project (0325191E) as part of the MAGS consortium project “Concepts for Limiting Microseismic Activity in the Energy Utilization of Deep Underground Geothermal Systems” with 5 partners (BGR, TU Clausthal, University of Munich, KIT, FU Berlin): THM:C-coupled investigations into mechanisms and released deformation energies of seismic events during the reservoir stimulation and operational phases (2010–2013, Project Leader)
• Subproject B4 of the Lower Saxony Research Consortium gebo “Geothermal Energy and High-Performance Drilling Technology” with 3 partners (Clausthal University of Technology, LIAG Hannover, University of Göttingen): Geoparameters from borehole measurements and their application (2009–2014, project leader)

• DGMK Project 814 with 3 industry partners (EMPG, Neptune Energy Deutschland GmbH, Dea, and Wintershall): Numerical and physical modeling studies on innovative fracturing technologies using alternative fracturing fluids for tight gas formations, including re-fracturing options. (2018–2020, Project Leader)
• DGMK Project 680-IV with 3 industry partners (EMPG, Engie, and Dea): Optimization of fracturing operations in horizontal wells for maximum productivity. (2014–2017, Project Leader)
• DGMK Project 680-III with 4 industry partners (EMPG, GDF SUEZ, RWE Dea, and Wintershall): Proppant transport in fluid and closure process. (2012–2014, Project Manager)
• DGMK Project 680-II with 4 industry partners (EMPG, GDF SUEZ, RWE Dea, and Wintershall): Investigation and optimization of multi-fracs. (2009–2011, Project Leader)
• DGMK Project 680-I with 3 industry partners (EMPG, GDF SUEZ, and RWE Dea): Numerical investigations of fracture propagation in tight gas reservoirs using the FDM program FLAC3D – feasibility study. (2007–2008, Project Manager)

• Rock mechanical and multiphysical behavior
• Constitutive laws and THMC-coupled models for rocks
• Multiphysical geoprocesses, software development, and numerical modeling
• Reservoir stimulation without any chemical components
• Deep geothermal systems
• Underground storage of renewable energy
• CO₂ Capture, Utilization, and Sequestration (CCUS)
• Load-bearing behavior and integrity of underground systems
• Georisk analysis, including subsidence, induced seismicity, wellbore stability and integrity, and the integrity of geotechnical and geological barriers

• Rock Mechanics II (Petroleum and Geothermal Engineering)
• Applied Rock Mechanics (Geoenvironmental Engineering)
• Finite element method in geomechanics
• Applied finite element method
• Supervision of seminars, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral theses

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=L2tEf6oAAAAJ