The GAB at the EGC 2022 in Berlin

The Geothermal Congress 2023

The Geothermal Congress will take place again from 16 to 19 October! It is organised by the German Geothermal Association (BVG), this year  in Essen.

The GAB will again be represented by numerous scientists to present the current state of research.

We expect exciting lectures from:

Daniela Pfrang, Dr. Kai Zosseder, Christopher Schifflechner, Jaromir Jeßberger, Prof. Dr. Michael Drews and Hannah Uhrmann

And look forward to poster contributions from:

Nora Medgyesi, Catharina Drexl and Justin Mattheis.

Further information and registration can be found here.

 

Kind regards,

the GAB project management

Source: Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria

12th Energy Colloquium of the Munich Institute of Integrated Materials, Energy and Process Engineering

The program of this year’s MEP Colloquium is available.

Registration is open until July 20th here.

Source: Geothermal Alliance Bavaria

12th Energy Colloquium of the Munich Institute of Integrated Materials, Energy and Process Engineering

Turning Points in the Energy Transition: Setting the Course for the Next Decades

This year’s Energy-Colloquium of the MEP will be organized by the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria on July 28th, 2022.

The annual Energy Colloquium is a cross-faculty institution that highlights the diversity of applied and basic research activities on energy related topics in Bavaria. Their goal is to more closely connect and nurture knowledge and research and to provide a platform for discussion and exchange. The 12th Energy Colloquium focusses on concepts and methodologies used in energy science and engineering.

To the event page

Participation in a webinar (Source: Maximilian Keim/TUM)

6. Knowledge Transfer of the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria

We would kindly like to invite you to the sixth “Knowledge Transfer Geothermal Energy” of the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria.

One of the core areas of the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria is the networking between the science and industry in Bavaria. We would therefore like to offer you a platform for information and open exchange once again in the form of a knowledge transfer. This year we are presenting three exciting forums. The main focus will be on heating networks and their role in the success of the energy transition. We will also examine the sustainable management of geothermal reservoirs and innovations in the field of geothermal energy production and use.

The sixth “Knowledge Transfer Geothermal Energy” of the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria will take place as an online event on

Thursday, March 31, 2022

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m

 

We are very pleased to announce the following forums and speakers:

Heating networks as the key to the heat transition in Bavaria

Prof. Dr. Dominikus Bücker (Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences)
Christine Cröniger (Stadtwerke München GmbH)
Dr. Maximilian Keim (Technical University of Munich)

Sustainable use of resources – new insights into the geothermal reservoir

Johannes Grossmann (Bavarian State Office for Environment)
Dr. Ernesto Meneses Rioseco (Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics)
Felix Schölderle (Technical University of Munich)

Beyond Hydrothermal Direct Use – Innovative heat generation and use

Dr. Wolfgang Bauer (Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg)
Andreas Gahr (AIC Hörmann GmbH & Co KG)
Christopher Schifflechner (Technical University of Munich)

 

We will publish the complete agenda including the titles of the lectures here shortly.

You can register for the event via the following link until March 25, 2022 : https://wiki.tum.de/x/NgDvKg
Participation in the webinar is of course free of charge for you.

Best regards,

the GAB project management

Source: Geothermal Alliance Bavaria

5. Knowledge Transfer of the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria

THIS YEAR AGAIN AS WEBINAR!

The 5th knowledge transfer of the Geothermal-Alliace Bavaria (GAB) took place on Thursday,  March 25, 2021  from  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Due to the positive response to the virtual version of the event last year, we are pleased to be able to hold the knowledge transfer as a webinar again. We have exciting and this time also international guest lectures: Jan Hildebrand (IZES gGmbH) on the CROWDTHERMAL project, Eric Léoutre (Vermilion REP SAS) on geothermal project development from oil drilling, Christian Minnig (Federal Office of Energy Switzerland) on the geothermal potential in Switzerland and Bernhard Gubo (Geothermie Bayern) on the newly started geothermal project in Taching am See. Of course, you can expect talks on the latest research topics from the participating partner universities of the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria as well as from our own team.

Further information on registration and the complete program can be found under the following link:  Knowledge Transfer Program .

Quelle: Geothermie-Allianz Bayern

2nd Autumn School of the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria “Focus on Applied Methods in Deep Geothermal Energy”

WEBINAR ON 5. & 6. OCTOBER 2020

About the Autumn School

The international Autumn School addresses students and researchers in the fields of geo- and engineering sciences with a strong interest in geothermal energy. It is organized by the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria (GAB) in close collaboration with the University of Strasbourg and will particularly focus on “Applied Methods”. Initially planned as an on-campus meeting the event will take place as a Webinar using Zoom. The school was hosted for the first time in 2018 at the University of Strasbourg and met with a great response. The follow-up event will now broaden the spectrum, to cover not only Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), but also the production from deep hydrothermal aquifer systems. More information can be found in our Flyer.

The city of Munich and surrounding area is particularly active in the use of hydrothermal systems and its applied research. The Bavarian Molasse Basin offers excellent conditions for the local energy supply. With its numerous geothermal plants, an international hotspot for deep geothermal energy has been developed in recent years. Accordingly, there are excellent virtual excursion destinations with direct practical relevance.

Immediately following the Autumn School is the 8th European Geothermal Workshop (EGW, 7 – 9 October 2020), which is organized by the University of Strasbourg and which will also be held as a WebinarParticipants of the Autumn School are highly encouraged to participate at EGW. Participation fees of the autumn school and the EGW will be free for all participating students.

Registration:

Interested candidates are encouraged to send their CV and a brief letter of motivation to

Markus Loewer
Technical University of Munich
Munich School of Engineering
Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria
Lichtenbergstr. 4a
85748 Garching

Tel.: +49 89 289 52728
Mail: markus.loewer@tum.de

Deadline for applications is September 28th 2020.
A maximum of 20 participants will be admitted to the event.

Source: Geothermal Alliance Bavaria

4. Knowledge transfer of the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria

THIS YEAR AS A WEBINAR!

On Wednesday,  May 20, 2020  from  12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m the 4th knowledge transfer of the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria (GAB) took place. Due to the increased precautionary measures this time as a webinar. We are pleased to announce the exciting guest lectures by Ulrich Steiner (ERDWERK) on the INSIDE project, Prof. Dr. Rolf Bracke on the new Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructure and Geothermal Energy (IEG), Dr. Jochen Schneider (Enerchange) on the social acceptance of geothermal projects and Prof. Dr. Sebastian Bauer from the University of Kiel on geological heat storage. Of course, the GAB is also represented with various lectures, including Prof. Dr. Michael Drews reporting about the new geothermal professorship, Dr. Kai Zosseder from the Chair of Hydrogeology at TUM about the progress of fiber optic cable measurements in Sendling and our PhD student Fabian Dawo about his experimental investigations on ORC power plants.

Further information on registration can be found under the following link:  Knowledge transfer program .

The Geothermal Congress 2019

The Geothermal Congress DGK 2019 will take place from November 19th to 21st, 2019 in the Science Congress Center Munich. The congress is the meeting place for the German and international geothermal industry and serves the purpose of knowledge transfer, discussion and networking between scientists, business representatives and geothermal experts.

Call for Papers: Papers can be submitted until the end of May

You have to submit draft presentations for the congress until May 31st, which will then be selected and compiled by a scientific committee. Lectures in German and English are welcome alike.

Research work meets applied practice

The DGK program offers a broad network of findings from practice and research. The workshop will start with a kick off on November 19th.

On the 20./21. November lectures on near-surface and deep geothermal energy will be presented. The program will be compiled from the submissions of the Call for Papers. Young geothermal offers young scientists a place for exchange and networking with the Science Bar. They can present their theses with poster contributions and apply for the Science Bar prize.

More information about this year’s geothermal congress and the submission of contributions at  www.der-geothermiekongress.de .

Workshop “Geothermal energy in practice”

As every year, the AG Geothermie at the Chair of Hydrogeology at the Technical University of Munich organizes the workshop  “Geothermal Energy in Practice” .

This year’s workshop will take place:

Friday, June 28, 2019
Technical University of Munich
Arcisstr. 21, 80333 Munich, room 2408
building 4, entrance VIII or IX (entrance via Luisenstraße), 2nd floor

The workshop Geothermal Energy in Practice is intended to present and discuss new ideas and practical experiences in near-surface and deep geothermal energy.

The first block of the workshop deals with near-surface geothermal energy. The focus here is on heating and cooling buildings and districts with innovative systems. As an alternative to the classic systems of near-surface geothermal use, there are less common innovative systems for special site conditions. Two of these systems will be discussed here. Groundwater circulation wells are implemented with only one well drilling, ground-coupled hollow piles promise efficient coverage of the damend even in unfavorable site conditions. A project that won the Bavarian environmental award then shows how regenerative heating of districts in rural areas can be innovatively implemented.

The second part of the workshop is dedicated to deep geothermal energy. Most of the projects in Germany are realized here in the southern German Molasse Basin. The three most recent projects will be presented in the workshop. The Garching a.d. Alz project in the south-east and the inner-city project on Schäftlarnstraße report on experiences from implementation. The planning, implementation and initial results from the exploration are reported from Pullach, where deep geothermal energy is to be further expanded.

We would like to invite you to discuss exciting topics of near-surface and deep geothermal energy with the organizers and participants at the workshop.

The program and the registration formalities can be found on  this flyer  or at: https://www.cee.ed.tum.de/hydro/news/

Our partner, the Geothermal Energy Working Group of the Chair of Hydrogeology at TUM, would be happy to welcome you to this year’s workshop.

43rd Edgar Lüscher Seminar

The participants of this year’s 43rd Edgar Lüscher Seminar at the Zwiesel Gymnasium in the Bavarian Forest were able to continue their education on the subject of “renewable energies”. The scientific directors of the seminar, Prof. Dr. Peter Müller-Buschbaum and Prof. Dr. Winfried Petry from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) invited renowned speakers to Zwiesel. The topic of geothermal energy was also discussed by the GAB project manager, Dr. Maximilian Keim, presented in detail.

43rd Edgar Lüscher Seminar at the Zwiesel Gymnasium

Topic:  Renewable Energies
Friday, March 22nd to Sunday, March 24th – 2019
Patron:  Prof. Dr. dr hc mult. Wolfgang A. Herrmann, President of the Technical University of Munich
Organiser:  The Ministerial Commissioner for High Schools in Lower Bavaria, Ltd. OStD Anselm Räde
Scientific management:  Prof. Dr. Peter Müller-Buschbaum and Prof. Dr. Winfried Petry, TU Munich
Org. at the Gymnasium Zwiesel:  OStD Heribert Strunz and StR Claus Starke

Friday March 22, 2019

  • 13:00-14:15 Introductory lecture for students Dr. scratches, TUM School of Education, Head of TUM Science Lab
  • 14.45-15.15 Welcome
  • 15.15-16.30 Energy modeling on different temporal and geographic scales, Dr.-Ing. Philipp Kuhn, Chair of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems (ENS), Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Technical University of Munich
  • 16.30-17.15 Discussion and coffee break
  • 17.15-18.30 Hybrid Photovoltaics, Prof. Dr. Peter Müller-Buschbaum, TUM Physics Department, Chair for Functional Materials & Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II)
  • 18.30-18.45 Discussion

Saturday March 23, 2019

  • 09.00-10.15 Neutrons in the research of energy storage, Prof. Dr. Helmut Ehrenberg, KIT Karlsruhe, Institute for Applied Materials
  • 10.15-11.00 Discussion and coffee break
  • 11.00-12.15 Fundamentals of chemical energy storage, Prof. Dr. Hubert Gasteiger, requested, TUM Faculty of Chemistry, Chair of Electrochemistry
  • 12.15-12.30 Discussion
  • 2.30-3.45 p.m. Intelligent power grids, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Oliver Brückl, Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Research Center for Energy Networks and Energy Storage (FENES)
  • 15.45-16.30 Discussion and coffee break
  • 16.30-17.45 Biomass, Prof. Dr. Ing. Matthias Gaderer, TUM Campus Straubing, Chair for Regenerative Energy Systems
  • 17.45-18.00 Discussion

Sunday March 24, 2019

  • 09.00-10.15 geothermal energy, Dr. Maximilian Keim, TUM Project Management Geothermal Alliance Bavaria
  • 10.15-11.00 Discussion and coffee break
  • 11:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Wind energy, Prof. Po Wen Cheng, Institute for Aircraft Design, University of Stuttgart
  • 12.15-13.00 Discussion topic for the 44th Edgar Lüscher Seminar

3rd knowledge transfer event of the Geothermal Alliance Bavaria

As you know, the networking of geothermal expertise from science and industry, universities and plant operators is an integral part of the work of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern. We would like to offer you a platform for information and open exchange and therefore continue the knowledge transfer in 2019. We therefore cordially invite you to our third knowledge transfer event “Geothermal Energy in the Southern German Molasse” at the Center for Energy and Information in Garching:

3rd knowledge transfer event of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern
Geothermie in the southern German molasse
with the main topic “surface plants and networks”

03/14/2019 | 12:00 p.m. – approx. 6:00 p.m.
Center for Energy and Information at the Technical University of Munich
Lichtenbergstr. 4a | 85748 Garching | Forum room ground floor

As speakers we welcome:

  • dr Christian Bichler, KESS GmbH
  • Volker Bihlmayr, TÜV Süd
  • Thomas Büttner, green-engineers
  • Sebastian Eyerer, Technical University of Munich
  • dr Florian Heberle, University of Bayreuth
  • Matthias Hotz, Technical University of Munich
  • Matthäus Irl, Technical University of Munich
  • Wolfgang Qual, City of Munich, Department for Health and Environment
  • dr Thomas Reif, Gassner, Groth, Siederer & Coll.
  • Christoph Schmidt, City of Munich, Department for Urban Planning and Building Regulations
  • Jörg Uhde, Pfalzwerke geofuture GmbH

You can  download the current agenda here.

If we have aroused your interest, you can   register for the event by sending an email to gab@mse.tum.de by March 4th, 2019 . Participation is of course free of charge for you. We would like to point out that the number of participants is limited.

Information session on seismicity

The Geothermie-Allianz Bayern is offering an “information event on seismicity” on March 13, 2019 – one day before the third knowledge transfer. The event provides information on the part of the authorities, science and industry about specifications and regulations, news from the industry and the state of research.

“Seismicity Information Session”
March 13, 2019 | 9:00 a.m. – approx. 4:00 p.m.
Center for Energy and Information at the Technical University of Munich
Lichtenbergstr. 4a | 85748 Garching | Forum room ground floor

You can  download the current agenda here.

If we have aroused your interest, you can   register for the event by sending an email to gab@mse.tum.de by March 4th, 2019 . Participation is of course free of charge for you. We would like to point out that the number of participants is limited.

44. Stanford Geothermal Workshop

The Geothermie-Allianz Bayern was represented at the 44th Stanford Geothermal Workshop.

Ferdinand Flechtner presented his paper “A Brief Stocktake of the Deep Geothermal Projects in Bavaria, Germany (2018)” .

Here is the link to the full schedule of the Stanford Geothermal Workshop 44th Annual: https://pangea.stanford.edu/ERE/pdf/IGAstandard/SGW/2019/Schedule2019.htm

Lecture “Influence of faults on the stress field, boreholes and fissures in the Malm of the Bavarian Molasse” in the seminar “Frontiers in Earth Sciences”

On Friday, February 8, 2019, Prof. Dr. Tobias Backers gave a lecture in the seminar “Frontiers in Earth Sciences” at the Munich Geozentrum:

“Influence of faults on the stress field, boreholes and fissures in the Malm of the Bavarian Molasse”

The lecture will take place at 2 p.m. in the lecture hall of the LMU Luisenstraße 37 in lecture hall C 006. Before the seminar, some pastries and drinks will be served.

You can find the abstract here:  https://www.munich-geocenter.org/seminars/weekly-seminars/talkdetails/1991

Prof. Dr. Tobias Backers is Professor of Engineering Geology at the Ruhr University Bochum.

Lecture by Prof. Backers, February 8, 2019. PDF download by clicking on the image.

VDI lecture series: “ Deep geothermal energy – bridging technology or the key to a successful energy transition?”

Wednesday, November 28, 2018, 7:00 p.m.
Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences, Hochschulstr. 1, 83024 Rosenheim

Deep geothermal energy – bridging technology or key to a successful energy transition?

Lecture by Ferdinand Flechtner

Everyone is talking about the use of energy from the interior of the earth, as it promises a greenhouse gas-neutral supply of electricity and heat around the clock. This high availability, independent of wind, weather and time of day, prompts many to see geothermal energy as the panacea for the problems of the energy transition. In fact, the dependency on weather phenomena and solar radiation means that the integration of classic renewable wind and solar energy into our existing energy system requires the development and implementation of efficient storage and distribution networks. But what contribution can geothermal energy really make? How does the technology behind it work? Why does geothermal energy work particularly well in some places and what are the important underground conditions? How can the heat on the surface be used and how sustainable is the use of geothermal energy actually?

The Geothermal Congress 2018

The workshop series “Scalings & Corrosion” (W 2, W 4 & W 7) of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern at the Geothermiekongress 2018 (DGK 2018) is intended to give a well-founded impression of the causes and consequences of chemical reactions between the thermal water and components of the deep geothermal system and how they can be combated or prevented.

The workshops are organized by the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern, which, as a research association, is pursuing a holistic approach to expanding the deep geothermal potential in Bavaria and, in its practical research, attaches particular importance to the “operational safety of the thermal water cycle”.

You can view the full congress program and register on  the Geothermal Congress website .

We look forward to welcoming you to our “Scalings & Corrosion” workshop series!

GAB-Autumn School with focus on “Enhanced Geothermal Systems”

The international Autumn School addresses PhD students and researchers in the fields of geo- and engineering sciences with a strong interest in geothermal energy research. It is organized by the Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria (GAB) and the MSE Graduate Center in close collaboration with the University of Strasbourg and will particularly focus on “Enhanced Geothermal Systems” (EGS). Despite prime examples like the EGS project at Soultz-sous-Forêts in the Upper Rhine Valley and the high potential of geothermal power production in Europe, EGS projects are mostly in a research state. However, due to an ever-expanding number of projects, the highly complex technology has made important progress especially in recent years, which will be illustrated in theory and practice to the participants.

The School will give a balanced mixture of engineering- and geotechnical basics with state-of-the-art research on soft stimulation, exploration and monitoring concepts, as well as power production and risk analysis and social acceptance of the technology. All topics will be covered in the form of interactive seminars, exercises and excursions to the French EGS projects in order to impart a deeper impression of the technological challenges and approaches to future specialists in geothermal energy.

Immediately following the Autumn School is the 6th European Geothermal Workshop (EGW, 10 – 12 October), which will be held at the same location at the University of Strasbourg. Participants of the Autumn School are highly encouraged to participate at EGW. The field trips to the geothermal power plants at Soultz-sous-Forêts and Rittershoffen as well as a visit to the oil museum at Merkwiller-Pechelbronn will be jointly carried out on the last day (12th October). Participation fees of the autumn school and the EGW will be free for all participating PhD students.

Registration:

Interested candidates are encouraged to send their CV and letter of motivation to

Markus Loewer
Technical University of Munich
Munich School of Engineering
Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria
Lichtenbergstr. 4a
85748 Garching

Tel.: +49 89 289 52728
Mail: markus.loewer@tum.de

Deadline for applications is September 10th 2018.
A maximum of 30 participants will be admitted to the event.

Intensive course “Water-rock interactions in carbonates”

The chair for hydrogeology at the Technical University of Munich – project participant within the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern – and ENERCHANGE have jointly appointed Prof. Dr. Hans G. Machel from the University of Alberta (Canada) was invited to Munich for a one-day intensive course on “Water-rock interactions in carbonates”.

The intensive course dealt with the development of porosity and permeability of carbonates, which are triggered or controlled either by the regional pore water flow or by geochemical reactions in largely stagnant pore waters. Furthermore, five groups of diagenetic (0 to 200 degrees Celsius) processes were treated: marine and submerged diagenesis of limestones, dolomitization, karstification, sulfate reduction, and ‘squeegee’ porewater flow. All of these processes influence the properties of carbonate rocks as reservoirs for hot deep groundwater, various hydrocarbons and various metal mineralizations (especially MVT deposits). Understanding these processes in carbonates is fundamental to the success of a geothermal project.

The program flow was as follows:

  • Working methods, mineralogy, classifications
  • Limestone formation conditions: facies and depositional environment
  • Limestone formation conditions: Limestone diagenesis and karstification
  • Dolomitization: concepts, models
  • Economic Carbonate Rocks – Concepts and Case Studies: Water, Hydrocarbons, Hydrogen Sulfide, MVT Metal Ores
  • Discussion: Implications for the Malm reservoir in the Bavarian Molasse Basin

2. Knowledge transfer of the Bavarian Geothermal Alliance

In 2016, the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern (GAB), funded by the StMBW, started work. In addition to the scientific issues to which the GAB is dedicated in the network of the three Bavarian universities, the Technical University of Munich, the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and the University of Bayreuth, we have dedicated ourselves to knowledge transfer and exchange on deep geothermal projects written into the work program in the southern German Molasse Basin. Our goal is to network geothermal expertise from science and business, universities and plant operators. We would like to once again offer you a platform for information and open exchange in order to make optimal use of synergies and jointly strengthen the expansion of deep geothermal energy in the southern German Molasse Basin.

The second knowledge transfer event of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern will take place on January 26, 2018 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Faculty Club on the 4th floor of the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), Lichtenbergstraße 2 a, 85748 Garching.

Here  you can download the flyer for the event.

The knowledge transfer begins at 12:00 p.m. with a welcome from Dr. Aubele and Dr. zosseder. In the hours that follow, you can expect interesting lectures and presentations by representatives from science and business, who this time will illuminate the  main topic of “discovery risk”  from different perspectives.

We welcome the following speakers this year:

  • Bavarian State Office for the Environment, Johannes Großmann
  • ERDWERK GmbH, Dr. Klaus Dorsch
  • Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Geozentrum Nordbayern, Prof. Dr. Roman Koch
  • Georg-August University of Göttingen, Dept. Applied Geology, Dr. Julia Ghergut
  • Innovative Energy for Pullach (IEP)
  • Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics, Dr. Hartwig von Hartmann
  • NW Insurance, Achim Fischer-Erdsiek
  • Stadtwerke München GmbH (SWM), Sebastian Dirner
  • Technical University of Munich, Institute for Water Chemistry, Dr. Thomas Bauman
  • Technical University of Munich, Chair of Hydrogeology, Florian Heine

If you are interested in participating or if you have any questions about the event, we look forward to hearing from you via email at  gab@mse.tum.de  or by phone on 089 / 289 10642. Prior

registration for the event is required!

Exhibition “Geothermal energy – heat and electricity from the earth’s interior”

Everyone is talking about geothermal energy – but how exactly does this technology work?

  • What makes the South German Molasse Basin so unique from a geothermal point of view?
  • What phases does a geothermal system go through?
  • And which properties of the subsoil are important?

We want to deal with these and other questions in the exhibition of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern “Geothermie – Heat and electricity from the earth’s interior” .

A lot of information, exhibits and experiments await you.

When?
October 16, 2017 – December 15, 2017

Where?
Center for Energy and Information
Lichtenbergstr. 4a
85748 Garching near Munich

Science for everyone: ” Deep geothermal energy – bridging technology or key to a successful energy transition?”

Wednesday, November 29, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
Hall of Honor in the Deutsches Museum

Deep geothermal energy – bridging technology or key to a successful energy transition?

dr Katharina Aubele speaks as part of the lecture series “Science for everyone” at the Deutsches Museum in Munich.

Flyer for the lecture by Dr. Catherine Aubele

About the lecture:

Everyone is talking about the use of energy from the interior of the earth, as it promises a greenhouse gas-neutral supply of electricity and heat around the clock. This high availability, independent of wind, weather and time of day, prompts many to see geothermal energy as the panacea for the problems of the energy transition. In fact, the dependency on weather phenomena and solar radiation means that the integration of classic renewable wind and solar energy into our existing energy system requires the development and implementation of efficient storage and distribution networks. But what contribution can geothermal energy really make? How does the technology behind it work? Why does geothermal energy work particularly well in some places and what are the important underground conditions? How can the heat on the surface be used and how sustainable is the use of geothermal energy actually?

Based on the geophysical and geological foundations of geothermal energy, the head of the Bavarian Geothermal Alliance, Dr. Katharina Aubele from the Technical University of Munich, approached the audience to these and other questions and explained which answers research can provide.

To person:

Miss Dr. Katharina Aubele (*1984) completed her studies in geology and palaeontology at the universities of Munich and Reykjavik, Iceland in 2015 with a doctorate in geophysics at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich with the overall grade summa cum laude. She then continued her work at the Institute for General and Applied Geophysics at the LMU, before moving from basic research to applied geothermal research and taking up a position at the Technical University of Munich in 2016.

Since 2016, Dr. Aubele at the Munich School of Engineering of the Technical University of Munich, the geothermal energy working group and the joint research project “Geothermie-Allianz Bayern”, in which the TUM, the Universities of Nuremberg-Erlangen and Bayreuth are involved. In the research project funded by the Free State of Bavaria, research questions in all areas related to deep geothermal energy are dealt with.

Delegation of the Eurometropolitan Region of Strasbourg

On October 5th, 2017, a delegation from the Eurometropolitan region of Strasbourg visited the state capital Munich to exchange views on scientific, political and strategic aspects of deep geothermal energy. The German Geothermal Association and the Bavarian Geothermal Alliance invited to the meeting on the TUM premises.

Like Munich, the Eurometropolitan region of Strasbourg has ambitious goals in the implementation of climate protection policy. In order to achieve this, the Strasbourg metropolitan region also relies on geothermal energy as a building block for the development of a low-emission and local energy supply mix. By 2050, the Eurometropolitan region of Strasbourg wants to achieve energy autonomy from 100% renewables.

The exchange was attended by Robert Herrmann, President of the Eurométropole de Strasbourg, Françoise Bey, Vice President of Heating Networks, Dr. Katharina Aubele, project manager of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern, Rudolf Fuchs, environmental officer of the city of Munich, Annette Ganssmüller-Maluche, deputy district administrator of the district of Munich, Dr. Erwin Knapek, President of the Federal Geothermal Association and Dr. Christian Pletl, representative of Stadtwerke München.

Following the exchange, the delegation visited Stadtwerke München’s geothermal plant in Freiham: in the heart of a residential area, the plant supplies around 25,000 apartments in the western part of the city with heat.

Alsace 20, a French regional television channel for the Alsace region, reported on the visit.

Moose Workshop

From October 4th to 6th, 2017, a workshop on numerical modeling with the MOOSE Framework took place at the Technical University of Munich. With an application focus on deep geothermal energy, possible uses of this modern “open source” software for new users were presented here. In addition, special questions for power users and app developers were discussed.

A total of 25 participants from six different institutions came together:

  • Helmholtz Center Potsdam – German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ)
  • Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
  • Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen (RWTH Aachen)
  • Darmstadt University of Technology
  • Technical University of Munich (TUM)
  • University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)

The Geothermie-Allianz Bayern supported this workshop and also uses MOOSE Framework in the research project for numerical simulations of deep geothermal issues.

From 12.09. From September 14th to September 14th, 2017 the Geothermal Energy Congress took place in the BMW World in Munich. More than 700 participants informed themselves in numerous lectures and workshops about the latest developments in the field of near-surface geothermal energy and deep geothermal energy.

Tim Eller, M.Sc., project employee of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern, presented his research results on the transient simulation of geothermal combined heat and power for a reliable energetic and economic evaluation.

Workshop “ Civic Participation and Communication in Conflict Situations”

On July 5th and 6th, 2017, the workshop on  citizen participation and communication in conflict situations  took place at the Center for Energy and Information (ZEI) on the research campus in Garching.
The event was organized by the forum of the Munich Center for Technology in Society (MCTS-Forum) and the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern (GAB).

Comprehensive communication and the timely and competent involvement of citizens and interest groups prevent the public from only becoming interested in the geothermal system when problems arise.
Citizens not only want to be informed, they also want to be heard!

The aim of this workshop was to gain individual knowledge as well as to gain common knowledge. Conceptually, this workshop should contribute to a better understanding of the range of different possible strategies for stakeholder and citizen engagement. This should support a systematization of the implementation options for participatory approaches in geothermal projects.

The operators of geothermal plants as well as the scientists of the GAB should get to know and assess the possibilities and limits as well as the possible risks and advantages of three very different participation models (project communication, foresight and mediation). Development gains and the sensitization of all participants to transaction costs were intended, first steps to support appropriate conceptual and methodological decisions should be offered.

In terms of content, this workshop pursued three strategies (see below). The participants should first be informed by the invited experts about possible participation strategies, then reflect together with the experts on the use of participatory processes and finally it should be clarified what support the operators can expect from the GAB or the MCTS forum.

1. Information:  Which integration strategies can generally be pursued? How are responsibility, transparency and trust designed and defined?

  • What are the specific integration goals of communication, foresight and mediation? Which results and effects can realistically be expected?
  • What is the difference between these strategies? Where are the limits?
  • Which methods are used to effectively involve the target group(s)?
  • Are there risks? If yes, which? How can the risks be countered?
  • What benefits does the process have for the actors and their goals?

2. Reflection:  How can civil society and other actors be involved in the practical implementation of geothermal energy in such a way that they feel taken seriously – even in difficult situations or in the event of a conflict – and contribute constructively to solving problems?

  • Is involvement always necessary?
  • Which phases of implementation or which specific situations require which kind of intervention?
  • How can it be recognized which integration strategy can be used in which phase?
  • Which integration strategy is particularly suitable in which phase of a project to generate responsibility, transparency and trust?
  • What does success in participatory processes mean for whom and in what time frame? What are the success factors of participation in the various participation strategies?

3. Clarification:  What are the specific interests and needs of the participants in terms of participation or involvement of interest groups and citizens? What role can the GAB or the MCTS play? What research needs are there?

  • What role can the GAB assume within the framework of participatory processes?
  • What can the society-oriented science of the MCTS achieve?

Here  you can download the program for the workshop of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern and the Munich Center for Technology in Society on the subject of citizen participation and communication in conflict situations.

If you are interested, please contact us and we will send you more detailed information about the workshop.

Delegation from Switzerland

On April 26, 2017, Swiss and German representatives from ministries, research and industry met to exchange experiences on deep geothermal energy at the research center in Garching. The event was organized by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economics and Media, Energy and Technology (StMWi) and the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern (GAB).

The aim of the meeting was to pass on experiences from the successful and well-organized deep geothermal energy industry in Germany, especially Bavaria, to colleagues from Switzerland. Representatives of the Bavarian authorities provided information on the basics of mining law (concessions), approval procedures, operating plan procedures under mining law and water rights procedures. Erdwerk GmbH presented project examples from industry to share technical experiences and problems. Dr. Katharina Aubele, project manager of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern, and Dr. Rüdiger Thomas from the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics in Hanover.

The event was attended by representatives of the following institutions:

Germany:

  • Bavarian State Office for the Environment (BayLfU)
  • Bavarian State Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection (StMUV)
  • Bavarian State Ministry for Economics and Media (StMWi)
  • Mining Authority South Bavaria
  • Erdwerk GmbH
  • Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG)
  • Technical University of Munich (TUM)

Switzerland:

  • Department of the Environment, Canton Aargau
  • Building Directorate – Office for Waste, Water, Energy and Air (AWEL), Canton of Zurich
  • Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE)
  • Directorate General for the Environment (DGE), Kanton Waadt
  • Office Cantonal de l’energie (OCEN), Canton of Geneva
  • Department of Geology, Soils and Waste (GESDEC-DETA) Genf
  • Swisstopo

Delegation from Mongolia

Representatives from the capital of Mongolia, Ulan Bator, and the Mongolian Ministry of Energy visited the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern in Munich to exchange knowledge.

The background to the visit is a plan by the city of Ulan Bator to build a pilot geothermal power plant for the district heating network there. The colleagues from Mongolia obtained information from experienced geothermal plant operators, engineering companies and research institutions from Bavaria. In order to get to know the technical side of geothermal projects better, the delegation visited some geothermal plants and a deep well. Ferdinand Flechtner, employee of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern, and Dr. Kai Zosseder, head of the geothermal energy working group at the Chair of Hydrogeology at TUM.

From February 28 to March 3, 2017, the 8th European Geothermal PhD Day (EGPD) took place at the International Geothermal Center in Bochum.

Since 2010, doctoral students and young scientists from Europe who are researching and working in the field of near-surface and deep geothermal energy have been meeting once a year. The PhD Day offers them a forum in which research results are exchanged, cooperation is promoted and career and networking opportunities are created.

More than 50 PhD students took part in this year’s event. As part of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern, Ivanka Milcheva and Tim Eller from the Chair of Technical Thermodynamics and Transport Processes (LTTT) at the University of Bayreuth were there and presented the current status of their research work.

At the end of the conference days, the participants had the opportunity to visit a geothermal plant as part of an excursion.

“Deep geothermal energy – from the bold idea to the energy backbone of a metropolitan area”

On March 20th, 2017, an event on the subject of deep geothermal energy will take place as part of the lecture series of the VDI working group on energy technology and the Chair for Energy Systems at the Technical University of Munich.

On this year’s topic “The energy market is reinventing itself”, Wolfgang Geisinger, Managing Director of Geothermie Unterhaching, will speak on Monday, March 20th, 2017 about deep geothermal projects:  “Deep geothermal energy – from the bold idea to the energy backbone of a metropolitan area”

The lecture will take place at 4:00 p.m. in the Oskar von Miller Forum, Oskar-von-Miller-Ring 25, subway U3, U4, U5, U6 stop: Odeonsplatz. Registration is not required.

Further information:

 

Lecture series on geothermal energy

In cooperation with the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern, the Chair of Hydrogeology is offering three lecture series on geothermal energy at the beginning of 2017.

It is aimed at students, representatives of authorities, research institutions and in particular at the project partners of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern, who want to exchange views on hydrogeological topics in the field of geothermal research.

Here  you can download the flyer for the event.

The  Chair of Hydrogeology  deals with groundwater as an ecosystem. The aim of the research is to make a significant contribution to sustainable drinking water protection. Both the use of geothermal energy as “green energy” and research into the influence of geothermal systems on the groundwater ecosystem are areas of activity that the chair deals with.

Program:

  • 25.01.2017, Beginn 13:15 Uhr
    DNA nanotracer and geophysical quantification of pore space connectivity and heat transfer enhancement during EGS development
    Prof. Dr. Martin Saar, ETH Zurich – Department of Earth Sciences
  • February 1, 2017, beginning at 1:15 p.m.
    Impact of microbial biofilms on well performance and plant operation – long-term in situ monitoring at different study sites
    Prof. Dr. Hilke Wuertmann, German Research Center for Geosciences Potsdam (GFZ)
  • February 8, 2017, beginning at 1:15 p.m.
    Helium isotopes in groundwater: Tracers for groundwater dating
    Dr. Jürgen Sultenfuss, University of Bremen

Venue, registration and contact

Technical University of Munich, Arcisstr. 21, 80333 Munich

Building 4, entrance VIII or IX, 1st floor, room 1400 (entrance via Luisenstrasse), 1:15 p.m

Participation is free. Nevertheless, we ask that you register for this event

Open day at the science campus in Garching

The Garching science campus, one of the largest centers for research and teaching in Germany, invited to the “Open Day” on October 22, 2016. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., more than 30 research institutions and research-related companies on the campus opened their doors. More than 10,000 visitors took the opportunity to go on a journey of discovery into the world of science. The underground party for the 10th anniversary of the underground connection for Garching and the campus was again attended by 500 guests!

The Geothermie-Allianz Bayern was also present with a lecture by the project manager Dr. Catherine Aubele represented. You can access the presentation documents here.

Next year’s open day is expected to take place on October 14, 2017.

European Geothermal Congress 2016

More than 800 participants came from 19.-23. September to the  European Geothermal Congress  (EGC) in Strasbourg. The event, organized by the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) only every three years, brings together scientists, industry and operators in the growing field of geothermal energy. There are currently 88 geothermal power plants (2.3 GWel) and 527 district heating networks (4.7 GWth) in operation in Europe.

Representing the  Chair of Technical Thermodynamics and Transport Processes (LTTT)  , Dr.-Ing. Florian Heberle and Tim Eller, M.Sc. participate in the EGC. Florian Heberle presented the results of combined power and heat generation based on the ORC process with his lecture “Thermoeconomic evaluation of one- and double-stage ORC for geothermal combined heat and power production”. This lecture and the associated publication is the first international conference contribution of the LTTT within the framework of the Geothermie-Allianz Bayern (GAB). The joint project of the  Technical University of Munich , the  FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg  and the  University of Bayreuth has a four-year project duration (2016-2019) and was created to answer research questions in the field of deep geothermal energy and to bundle and network operating experiences on the part of the operators.

Stay informed!