Geothermie-Allianz Bayern
  • Home
  • News
  • Research
    • Subprojects
    • Publications
    • Associated Research Projects
    • 1st Phase Topics
  • Teaching
  • Team
    • Research Advisory Board
  • Partner
  • Geothermal Energy Explained
    • Explorationsphase
    • Project Development
    • Geothermal in Bavaria
    • Geothermal Plants in Bavaria
  • Events
    • Press/Media
  • ">Deutsch
  • ">English
Expert Opinion on the Added Value of Interconnectors in the Use of Deep Geothermal Energy

Expert Opinion on the Added Value of Interconnectors in the Use of Deep Geothermal Energy

EXPLOITATION OPTIMIZATION OF THE GEOTHERMAL POTENTIAL

Distribution of annual heat demand for space heating and domestic hot water in Bavaria shown as heat demand density.

The research team of the joint-project Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria has evaluated the potential of deep geothermal use through interconnected pipelines in a report for the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Regional Development. According to their findings, the potential of the large-scale transport of district heating can be optimally used from a techno-economic point of view and thus offers an opportunity to save large amounts of CO2  in the heat supply. A summary of the results can be found in the current issue of Geothermal Energy ( link  ).

Over the past fifteen years, Bavaria has become a hotspot for deep geothermal utilization in Europe. There are now 23 plants operating in the Molasse Basin which provide climate-friendly heat, power and cooling. For example, the state capital plans to cover its district heating supply in a climate-neutral manner and largely from deep geothermal energy by 2040. However, the use of deep geothermal energy is not limited to Munich.

High potential in southern Bavaria

The demand for space heating and hot water calculated in this study is just under 160 TWh. A total of 99 areas were identified where district heating is a potential supply technology. These areas correspond to almost 50% of the total heat demand in Bavaria. According to the estimates, the deep geothermal potential in the Molasse Basin alone could supply 80% of the district heating demand (7655 MWth). To raise the enormous potential, theoretically about 500 doublets, i.e. production and injection wells, would be necessary.

Forecasts for drilling succes – is there enough hot water?

The success of further geothermal wells, and thus the basic prerequisite for the economic success of deep geothermal energy, can be predicted comparatively well for the Molasse Basin. However, there are significant local differences in terms of predictability. Comparatively good forecasts for drilling success are given in particular in Munich, south of Munich and in the eastern Molasse, where there is already a comparatively high number of successful wells today.

Optimal utilization of the resource

Geothermal energy shows its strengths particularly in the base load supply. The prerequisite for operating a deep geothermal system economically is that the heat can be drawn off to a sufficient extent via a district heating network. In many parts of the Molasse Basin there are particularly favorable geothermal conditions, which, however, do not coincide directly with the heat consumers on the surface. In these cases, there is the possibility of transporting the heat to the consumers via interconnection lines and thus optimally exploiting the potential. The construction of larger interconnecting pipelines increases the amount of geothermal energy that is extracted and consequently also its share in the heat supply – the number of systems required is minimised. If hydrocarbon based energies are pushed out of the heating network, large amounts of CO2 savings – With base load covered by deep geothermal energy, around two million tons per year. The analyzes show that the interconnection pipelines can also have a positive effect on the heat generation costs and increase the reliability of systems.

High investment costs – an obstacle

The implementation of a deep geothermal project involves high investment costs. These costs are further increased by the construction of larger interconnectors. However, for interconnection pipelines across municipalities to transport green district heating to neighboring municipalities and beyond, there are currently no equivalent funding mechanisms available as there are for on-site heat production. The technology will become economically attractive for municipalities or investors when the initial costs, especially for drilling, network expansion or interconnectors, become lower and get public support.

The study will be published in the coming weeks by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Regional Development.

Contact: Dr. Maximilian Keim; Tel.: +49 (89) 289 – 10641; maximilian.keim@tum.de

Prev Post
Next Post

Weitere Artikel

Newsletter December 2022 – January 2023
February 6, 2023

Newsletter December 2022 – January 2023

Mehr erfahren
Newsletter October-November
December 19, 2022

Newsletter October-November

Mehr erfahren

Recent News

  • Newsletter December 2022 – January 2023 February 6, 2023
  • Newsletter October-November December 19, 2022
  • Potential for the expansion of geothermal energy in Bavaria: Expert opinion on the Geothermal Energy Master Plan is published November 2, 2022
  • Georg Stockinger wins Young Scientist Award at the European Geothermal Congress October 27, 2022
  • European Geothermal Congress 2022 in Berlin October 27, 2022
  • Christian-Hecht-Award 2022 October 7, 2022
  • Newsletter August-September October 5, 2022
  • Newsletter June-July August 5, 2022
  • 12th Energy Colloquium of the Munich Institute for Integrated Materials, Energy and Process Engineering August 1, 2022
  • Expert Discussion „The Importance of Geothermal Energy for Future Power and Heat Supply July 8, 2022

Contact Project Management GAB

Dr. Michaela Meier
Geothermal-Alliance Bavaria                          Technical University of Munich
Lichtenbergstr. 4a
85748 Garching-Forschungszentrum
gab[at]mep.tum.de
Tel.: +49 89 289 10641

Contact study course

Prof. Dr. Harald Stollhofen
Chair of Geology
Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg
Schlossgarten 5
91054 Erlangen
harald.stollhofen[at]fau.de

Funded by

Bavarian State Ministry for Science and the Arts
Main building:
Salvatorstraße 2
80333 München

Impressum | Datenschutz
Privacy Preference Privacy Preference

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience. If you are under 16 and wish to give consent to optional services, you must ask your legal guardians for permission. We use cookies and other technologies on our website. Some of them are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience. Personal data may be processed (e.g. IP addresses), for example for personalized ads and content or ad and content measurement. You can find more information about the use of your data in our privacy policy. You can revoke or adjust your selection at any time under Settings.

Privacy Preference

Accept all

Save

Individual Privacy Preferences

Cookie Details Privacy Policy Imprint

Privacy Preference Privacy Preference

If you are under 16 and wish to give consent to optional services, you must ask your legal guardians for permission. We use cookies and other technologies on our website. Some of them are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience. Personal data may be processed (e.g. IP addresses), for example for personalized ads and content or ad and content measurement. You can find more information about the use of your data in our privacy policy. Here you will find an overview of all cookies used. You can give your consent to whole categories or display further information and select certain cookies.

Accept all Save

Back

Privacy Preference

Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.

Show Cookie Information Hide Cookie Information

Name
Provider Owner of this website, Imprint
Purpose Saves the visitors preferences selected in the Cookie Box of Borlabs Cookie.
Cookie Name borlabs-cookie
Cookie Expiry 1 Year

Content from video platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default. If External Media cookies are accepted, access to those contents no longer requires manual consent.

Show Cookie Information Hide Cookie Information

Accept
Name
Provider Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland
Purpose Used to unblock Google Maps content.
Privacy Policy https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en&gl=en
Host(s) .google.com
Cookie Name NID
Cookie Expiry 6 Month
Accept
Name
Provider Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland
Purpose Used to unblock YouTube content.
Privacy Policy https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en&gl=en
Host(s) google.com
Cookie Name NID
Cookie Expiry 6 Month

Borlabs Cookie powered by Borlabs Cookie

Privacy Policy Imprint