The University of Petroșani is a public technical university in Romania with a long-standing tradition in engineering education and research, particularly in mining, energy, and applied geosciences. The university plays an important role in educating engineers and specialists who support industrial development and the sustainable management of natural resources.
Through its academic programmes and research activities, the University of Petroșani focuses on engineering disciplines connected to the exploitation and transformation of energy and mineral resources, geotechnics, and environmental protection. Its educational and scientific profile reflects the specific needs and challenges of regions shaped by mining and heavy industry, combining technical expertise with a growing focus on sustainability and responsible resource use.
Within the GrEnMine project, the University of Petroșani contributes academic knowledge and research capacity in mining-related engineering and geosciences, supporting the analysis of subsurface conditions, post-mining environments, and their potential reuse for gravity-based energy storage solutions. The university strengthens the project’s link between academic research and regions undergoing energy and industrial transition.
Project Team
Izabela Apostu – Communication Officer – University of Petrosani
Izabela Apostu serves as the Communication Officer for the University of Petrosani in the GrEnMine project. Representing a university with a long-standing tradition in mining engineering and mineral resources studies, she supports the dissemination of research outcomes related to geotechnics, mining technologies, and post-mining site rehabilitation.
Within GrEnMine, she coordinates outreach activities and ensures that the University’s scientific contributions are communicated clearly to academic, industrial, and regional stakeholders, reinforcing the role of mining universities in Europe’s energy transition.
Email: izabelaapostu@upet.ro
Prof.Dr.Eng. Maria Lazar – Team Leader for University of Petrosani in the GrEnMine project
Dr. Eng. Maria Lazar Department of Environmental Engineering and Geology, University of Petrosani, Faculty of Mining, Romania. She graduated from the Mining Institut of Petrosani in 1986 in the field of Mining Engineering. She obtained the Doctor of Engineering degree in the field of Engineering Sciences – Mines, Oil and Gases in 1998. Currently she is working in a professor position in the Department of Environmental Engineering and Geology at the University of Petrosani. She is actively involved and coordinates more EU grant agreements and national research contracts. She also coordinates bachelor papers, dissertation and doctoral theses. As professor and researcher at the University of Petrosani she works in the field of slope stability, hydrology and hydrogeology and ecological rehabilitation of degraded land.
Prof.Dr.Eng. Radu Sorin Mihai – Team member in the GrEnMine p are roject
He graduated from the Mining Institut of Petrosani in 1983 in the field of Mechanical engineering, mining machines and installations. In 1998 he obtained the Doctor of Engineering degree in the field of Engineering Sciences – Technological equipment. His teaching and research competences are in the fields of mining, environmental engineering, management.
Assoc.Prof.Dr.Eng. Dosa Ion – Team member in the GrEnMine project
He graduated from the Technical University of Petrosani in 1991, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He obtained his PhD in the scientific field of Mining Machines and Installations in 1999. He works as a professor and researcher at the University of Petrosani, Department of Industrial Mechanical and Transport Engineering. His main teaching and research areas are fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, thermal equipment and installations, and energy efficiency
Prof.Dr.Eng. Andras Iosif – Team member in the GrEnMine project
He graduated from the Mining Institut of Petrosani in 1976 as Electromechanical engineer and obtained the PhD degree in Mining, machinery, equipment and elecromechanics, in 1995, at University of Petrosani. His competence are in Mining, machinery, equipment and elecromechanics, IT, Slope stability.
Assoc.Prof.Dr.Eng. Faur Florin – Team member in the GrEnMine project
He graduated the University of Petrosani Bachelor of Engineering in 2005 and Master of Engineering in 2007 in the field of Environmental Engineering, and in 2099 he obtained the Doctor of Engineering degree in the field of Engineering Sciences – Mines, Oil and Gases.
He is currently associated professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering and Geology at the same higher education institution. The field of teaching and research work is related to disciplines in the field of environmental engineering (slope stability, anthropic impact on environment, ecological rehabilitation degraded land).
Lect.Dr.Eng. Klaus Fissgus – Team member in the GrEnMine project
He graduated from the University of Petrosani in 1995, Faculty of Mines, Mine Surveying. He obtained his PhD in 2002, in the field of Mines, Oil and Gas. His areas of competence are: surveying activities, laying out, editing of site plans with specialised software for computer aided design, use of total stations.
Lect.Dr.Eng. Irimie Sabin – Team member in the GrEnMine project
He graduated in the University of Petrosani: Bachelore in Management in 2008 (Long distance ) and Bachelore of Engineering in 2009. Master degree in Human Resources Management, in 2010, and in 2012 obtained the PhD Degree Engineering and Management. His teaching and research field: Basis of thermodynamics, Basis of hydraulics, Electroenergetics, Thermoenergetics, Energy balances, Production Management, Supply and market management, HR Management.
Lect.Dr.Eng. Nicola Aurelian – Team member in the GrEnMine project
He graduated in 1995 in the Faculty of Transports, Polytechnical University of Bucharest, Engineer Diploma in specialization Mechanical Engineering, Field Automotives. In 2001 obtained the Economist Diploma in specialization Finance and Insurance and in 2010 obtained Ph.D. in industrial engineering at University of Petrosani. His competences are Dynamics of motor vehicles; Construction and automotive calculation; Statistics; Financial management of the company; Accounting for credit institution.