Copernicus Sentinel-1 radar data is helping underground gas storage operators in Germany monitor ground movement above the Gronau-Epe cavern field, Europe’s largest underground gas storage site. German service provider EFTAS turns satellite observations into detailed ground-motion information, which Uniper Energy Storage uses to assess infrastructure risks and support safer storage operations. The monitoring results are also made publicly accessible, helping improve transparency and trust with local communities.
The case study shows how frequent, area-wide satellite monitoring complements traditional ground surveys, supports environmental protection and helps distinguish natural ground movement from cavern operations. It also examines the economic and societal benefits of freely available Copernicus data, including reduced monitoring costs, improved risk management and greater public transparency.
