‘There are exciting times ahead’
From the management of the project office for the Einstein Telescope – Euregio Meuse-Rhine project, Hans Plets and Stan Bentvelsen look back on a hectic 2024. And they are already looking ahead to next year.
2024…
Hans Plets: ‘In any case, a year in which a great deal happened, that much is clear. I am thinking particularly of the first drilling campaign at 11 sites. Further analysis is needed, but the preliminary outcome is that the subsurface is suitable for building the Einstein Telescope, which is good news in any event. Those drill cores are recorded, analysed and stored in a warehouse in Aubel, which we have at our disposal from this year, with a second warehouse being added next year. Furthermore, hydrological research has begun. Or to put it another way: where do we find subsurface water and how can we keep it away from our Einstein Telescope?
The first legal studies on public and private law have also been delivered. We have a good understanding of what we would have to deal with legally if we were to build the telescope. A landscape sketch has been prepared. An initial campaign to measure the effect of ambient noise at great depth has also been launched. Noise can come from, say, a motorway, an airport, a petrol station or cows in a meadow, and what can you do to muffle that noise?’
Stan Bentvelsen: ‘There are also developments that you don’t see in the environment, but which are very important. For example, consulting with Belgian railway manager Infrabel and with Belgian railway company SNCB about the railway yard in Montzen, Wallonia. That yard could play an important role in logistics. And there are discussions taking place in Flanders, Wallonia and the Netherlands about tackling valorisation in a more cross-border context. This is a good development. In the spring, for example, we will be jointly represented with one stand and one story at the Hannover Messe.’
When can we expect the results of all these studies?
Hans Plets: ‘Individual building blocks of research A or B do not say much, what matters are the building blocks in their interrelationships. These should at some point answer that one question: can we build the Einstein Telescope here? We therefore agreed to regularly incorporate a ‘continue-unless’ moment. Then we’ll see if we encounter issues that make building the Einstein Telescope impossible. If that is not the case, we will move on. The first analysis of the drilling campaign was one such moment. Those results looked positive. So we haven’t hit a buffer yet. So that’s fine. But we also know there is still much to do. We don’t want to count our chickens before they are hatched, but you can rest assured that we are optimistic.’
And internationally?
Hans Plets: ‘There have even been two ministerial conferences on the Einstein Telescope this year. In May in Eupen and in October at the Einstein Telescope Education Centre in Kerkrade. There, Flanders announced that pending further talks on funding, it is already making an initial reservation of 200 million euros for the construction of the Einstein Telescope. All new governments in Belgium have indicated their intention to commit fully to the telescope after the elections.’
Stan Bentvelsen: ‘In Germany, the process has started to prioritise possible future scientific infrastructures. The Einstein Telescope is emphatically on this list of ambitions. This may sound somewhat vague or official, but to the insider they are important steps. And meanwhile, behind the scenes, ministries are of course making sure that our candidacy is highlighted in Europe and beyond.
Our project office partners are also very active. The Dutch Province of Limburg organised a very successful meeting in Brussels last spring. The number one place to bring together decision-makers, scientists and businesses. In Wallonia, a team is currently being established to make the Walloon input in the project office more robust. And in Kerkrade, the Einstein Telescope Education Centre has opened, immersing schoolchildren in the world of engineering and science education. There is also interest from surrounding countries.’
The environment?
Hans Plets: ‘We organised 10 public meetings to update residents on the Einstein Telescope and what we would be doing in the drilling campaign. These were all fully booked. We not only told our story but also listened to what people were concerned about. Main point: for goodness sake be mindful of the environment! At those drilling sites we organised viewing sessions. And meanwhile, from the project office, we have given as many as 100 presentations this year. If not more.’
This all sounds good. Any concerns?
Stan Bentvelsen: ‘I am a positive person, so I prefer to call them ‘points of interest’. But there are obviously issues at play that we have no or only limited control over. After all, we also have to depend on other developments. For example: what requirements will the European organisation ETO come up with, specifying what demands the Einstein Telescope must meet. We are still waiting for that.
And of course we are also curious to know how things are shaping up at our Italian competitor in Sardinia. The Italians do not want to build a triangle, but an L-shaped telescope. And that only works if an L-shaped telescope is also built in another place. Meanwhile, we have recently become aware that the German state of Saxony has also indicated its intention to build the Einstein Telescope. We will all see. Above all, let us concentrate on our own work.’
What do you expect from next year?
Hans Plets: ‘We expect the initial results of the study on the effects of wind turbines. That addresses whether measures can be taken to reduce unwanted noise from wind turbines. And a second drilling campaign will follow next year. Based on the analyses of the first drilling campaign, we will determine at which locations that will be. In addition, an active seismic campaign will start at the end of January. An electric trolley will drive through the search area. By sending electrical vibrations into the soil, the structure of that soil is further mapped via the reverberation of those currents. It sounds simple, but its detailing is a feat of unique engineering.’
That is to see if it is possible to do all the underground work. What will happen above ground?
Stan Bentvelsen: ‘The focus will be on studies that identify potential impacts. Hans already mentioned the hydrological study. This, of course, will continue. This is not only important for us, the region is also curious: is there anything to learn from our studies, given recent floods? And vice versa: an area should obviously not dry out because we scientists want to build a telescope there.
Our stakeholder management is going to require greater attention. I already mentioned our logistics and the way we handle land being excavated. Can that be of value elsewhere in a safe manner? And in what ways can we create sustainably? Sustainability is a broad catch-all term: you talk about sustainable materials, sustainable logistics or sustainable ways of working. Answer: about as much as possible. You can research a lot now, but you can only really pinpoint it when you know where you would like to build the triangle.’
Obvious question: will 2025 make clear where the vertices of the triangle will be?
Hans Plets: ‘We expect it will. And at least as important as where those vertices should be is how to build the tunnel. That’s what I meant by all those building blocks that should soon form one coherent and compelling narrative that will eventually end up in our bid book. That’s another thing we will be focusing on next year. There are exciting times ahead.’
