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More and more electricity from renewable sources, hydrogen as an alternative energy source, and the expansion of district heating: the energy transition is in full swing worldwide, particularly in industrialized countries. It requires an enormous amount of new underground infrastructure for the generation and transportation of environmentally friendly energy. This also presents new challenges and opportunities for the tunnelling and trenchless construction industries and for manufacturers of mechanized tunnelling technology. The required infrastructure can be built using both tunnelling and trenchless installation methods. Which method offers the optimal solution depends on many factors, such as the intended use, size and location of the project. Using specific examples, this article presents the advantages in the realization of different types of infrastructure for the energy transition.

Pre-grouting and securing the tunnel face or the annular gap grouting of the segmental lining: anyone familiar with these challenges will also be familiar with the search for a safe injection process...

Pumped storage power plants are a technology that has been used for energy storage for over 100 years. In view of the energy transition, they are once again coming into the spotlight as they offer a...

Forbach Pumped Storage Power PlantPorr Tunnelling is carrying out the conversion of the Rudolf Fettweis plant in Forbach (Germany) into a modern pumped storage power plant on behalf of EnBW Energie...

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia, USA, has been one of the largest structures of its kind since it opened in 1964. Until now, the Thimble Shoal Tunnel has been a bottleneck for motor traffic. Over a distance of around two kilometres, traffic has so far been restricted to two lanes. This is set to end in 2028. A major milestone for the expansion has now been reached: TBM tunnelling for the new parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel was successfully completed at the end of January 2025.

SBB is planning to build a new railway tunnel and an additional track between Bern Wankdorf and Ostermundigen. Among other things, this will enable the expansion of railway services between Bern and Thun.

Tunnel construction can generate over 200 tonnes of excavated spoil per hour. If this spoil cannot be used on the same construction site, it often ends up in landfill sites. To enable sustainable...

SBB is renovating the Simplon Tunnel over the next four years. The first construction phase started at the beginning of February 2025.

Pumped storage power plants are a technology that has been used for energy storage for over 100 years. In view of the energy transition, they are once again coming into focus as they offer a flexible...