Drilling has started for a second geothermal heating plant in Potsdam, Germany, to be located in the Potsdam Süd region at the site of an existing combined heat and power plant. The drilling work is expected to last until the end of 2026.
Following the commissioning of the first geothermal heating plant in Heinrich-Mann-Allee, local utility Energie und Wasser Potsdam (EWP) now aims to explore the potential for geothermal heating in the HKW Potsdam Süd site. The first of several drilling phases will serve to provide insights into the subsurface strata and the geothermal energy and brine potential.
“We see enormous potential for the use of geothermal energy in Potsdam’s subsurface,” said Carsten Schulte, Technical Director of EWP. “We have already impressively demonstrated this with our first major geothermal project on Heinrich-Mann-Allee.”
Under an agreement signed earlier this year, the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) will be providing scientific and advisory support for the project, including laboratory and modeling studies. This carries on the successful collaboration between EWP and GFZ, who have been working together to explore the geothermal potential in the Potsdam urban area since 2020.
“The precise characterization of the subsurface rock strata and an understanding of the processes occurring there are crucial for the optimal use of the reservoirs,” said Dr. habil. Sven Fuchs, Head of the Hydrothermal Energy working group in the Geoenergy section of the GFZ.
“Only if we know how the location and properties are distributed underground and how they behave during use can energy suppliers optimally plan heat extraction and their facilities. Monitoring the drilling process and supporting subsurface characterization is an important contribution.”
Source: GFZ
