Multi-municipality approach to exploring geothermal potential in Belgium
Tongeren, Limburg, Belgium (source: flickr/ TijsB, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
26 May 2017
A group of municipalities, public and private sector players are exploring the potential for geothermal energy utilisation for heating in the region of northern Limburg in Belgium.
Reported earlier this week, the mayors of the municipalities of Bocholt, Bree, Hamont, Hechtel, Lommel, Meeuwen-Gruitrode, Neerpelt, Overpelt Peer in Belgium, together with VITO, infrax, NUHMA, EnergyVille and POM Limburg formed a task force to investigate the potential of deep geothermal energy.
The region has several groundwater aquifers that are suitable for heating purposes. In the deepest aquifer temperatures could be as high as 150° C. This would be sufficient for electricity generation. The estimates of the geothermal potential in North Limburg extrapolate data from the Kempen and Dutch Limburg where already some drilling has taken place.
“Northern Limburg (in Belgium) has definitely potential for this form of energy. Research conducted under the INTERREG project GEOHEAT.App and the ERDF project GEOTHERMIE 2020, shows that the chances of a successful drilling in North Limburg is real, “says Lode Ceyssens, mayor of Meeuwen-Gruitrode.
However, the deep geology was never scrutinized and therefore requires additional research. Seismic measurements are a first step. The nine municipalities commit to an interregional project which VITO is a major seismic campaign in North Limburg. Afterwards there might pursue exploratory drilling and exploitation.
To measure the surface of such a large area would still have to be counted on a 1.5 to 2 million.
Raf Drieskens, mayor of Neerpelt, and president of the Platform North Limburg: “This task force should explore further opportunities for North Limburg and should advise the municipalities on the joint can be achieved, the development of geothermal energy.” He also expects real business.
Peter Vanvelthoven, mayor of Lommel: “If North Limburg would succeed to tap this renewable energy would provide a strong opportunity and form a strong lever for the further socio-economic development of the region, including attracting new companies and the creation of additional employment ”
Source: EngineeringNet
