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Düsseldorf and Duisburg explore potential for deep geothermal energy

The intermunicipal feasibility study "Heat from Deep Geothermal Energy for District Heating in Düsseldorf and Duisburg" is a major step forward for the two cities towards the energy transition. The study examines the geological conditions at depth, identifies possible locations for test drilling, and evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of expanding the district heating network.


(Source: City Works Duisburg)

Since Thursday, citizens can find information about the project on the website www.geothermie-rhein.de. The development of climate-friendly, weather-independent, and regional energy sources is one of the biggest challenges for cities and municipalities. The state government of North Rhine-Westphalia has therefore already decided on March 20, 2019 to promote geothermal energy to advance the energy transition.


The cities of Duisburg and Düsseldorf, in particular, benefit from this state parliament resolution in the Rhine-Ruhr region. In a joint feasibility study with the respective municipal utilities, Fraunhofer IEG, DUS Airport, and the University of Duisburg-Essen, the two cities are currently exploring whether and how they can use deep geothermal energy for their district heating supply.


Hot deep water for the energy transition


Geothermal energy uses the naturally occurring heat energy in the Earth's crust for heating, cooling, or electricity generation. The forward-looking technology is weather-independent, available year-round and regionally, and independent of the combustion of fossil resources. The medium-depth and deep geothermal energy are particularly interesting for densely populated regions such as the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area. In this method, natural deep water reservoirs at a depth of 1,500 to 4,000 meters are accessed through two boreholes. In the production well, the hot water reaches the surface, where it transfers its energy to a district heating network before it is returned to the extraction layer. The current feasibility study examines, among other things, whether there are suitable water-bearing layers below the cities of Duisburg and Düsseldorf.


Study examines geological, technical, and economic feasibility


The Geothermie-Rhein project consortium uses various methods for geological exploration of the subsoil. In addition to geoelectrics, gravimetric measurements are also carried out. Both techniques are non-invasive, meaning they do not require drilling or other interventions in the subsoil. They serve a better understanding of possible rock layers suitable for geothermal energy in the subsoil. The 2D seismic survey conducted by the Geological Service of North Rhine-Westphalia in the fall of 2022, whose results are expected in late summer 2023, also provides valuable data for the region.


Another component of the Geothermie-Rhein feasibility study is the technical and economic evaluation of expanding the district heating network. District heating supplies residential and commercial buildings with hot water and heating energy via underground pipes. In Düsseldorf and Duisburg, geothermal energy, which is capable of providing the base load and is emission-free, is to be used as an additional energy source for existing district heating networks in the future. Possible expansion routes are also being examined.

source: Bunders

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