Bastian Welsch

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bastian Welsch serves as a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Bochum University of Applied Sciences, where he holds key leadership roles including Head of the Renewable Energy Systems program, Chairman of the Renewable Energy Systems Committee, and member of both the Departmental Council and founding board of the Energy Transition Institute (EnWI). His academic focus centers on geothermal energy systems and renewable energy integration within sustainable infrastructure frameworks.

Welsch's research expertise spans medium-deep borehole thermal energy storage, geothermal probe modeling, and renewable energy system optimization. His work addresses critical challenges in seasonal heat storage, district heating integration, and groundwater interaction with geothermal systems. He has pioneered simulation tools like BASIMO for optimizing borehole heat exchanger arrays and investigated permeability changes affecting regulatory approvals. His research bridges technical engineering with environmental and economic sustainability assessments.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2015-2020) reveals a strong trajectory toward practical implementation of geothermal storage solutions, with increasing emphasis on economic viability, environmental impact metrics, and integration with 4th generation district heating grids. His work consistently combines numerical modeling with real-world system design, demonstrating growing sophistication in optimization algorithms and multi-system coupling approaches.

As an educator, Welsch teaches across both bachelor's and master's programs, covering foundational courses like Geology and Georesources alongside specialized subjects including Geothermal Energy Systems, Renewable Energies and Energy Supply, and advanced Geothermal Systems courses focusing on heating/cooling storage and electricity generation. He maintains regular consultation hours for students during academic terms.