GeoTief project exploring geothermal potential to heat the city of Vienna in Austria
Votive church tower, Vienna, Austria (source: flickr/ Herr P., creative commons)
Alexander Richter
5 Oct 2020
With the GeoTief project, the partners of the research group led by local utility Energie Wien, are exploring the potential for geothermal heating in the city of Vienna, Austria.
The city of Vienna, Austria – like so many other cities around the world – has ambitious green energy targets. As part of it the GeoTief Vienna project is set up as energy research project of the local utility, Wien Energie together with AIT, Federal Geological Institute, Geo5, Heinemann Oil (HOL), Montanuniversität Leoben OMV, RAG Austria AG, the University of Vienna, the University of Salzburg and the , Universität Salzburg und Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik (ZAMG)).
The project is about the scientifically sound and state-of-the-art research and surveying of the geology in the eastern part of Vienna as potential area for geothermal exploration and utilisation. .
Based on experience and data from the last few decades, a potential for green heat from geothermal energy, i.e. the use of deep hot water, can be assumed. This could make the existing district heating network in Vienna even more efficient and sustainable.
The project is now for the first time comprehensively researching the possible heat potential and thus serves as a decision-making basis for possible future heating projects. The research project is broadly based and involves numerous companies, scientific institutions and experts.
The main core of the project is the implementation of seismic measurements in two phases. The so-called 2D seismic measurement in February / March 2017 and, based on this, the area-wide 3D seismic measurement in October / November 2018. The measurements took place exclusively on the earth’s surface. You can find detailed information on the seismic measurements here.
Following the measurements, the data are geophysically processed and geologically interpreted. Together with existing geological data, they are used to create a 3D model of the Vienna underground.
However, it is not just a detailed exploration of the geology. In accompanying research work, all aspects that are necessary for the utilization of geothermal energy are relevant to be investigated.
The project partners will then know whether there is potential for green heat from geothermal energy in the eastern part of Vienna and can use this database to decide whether future investments in geothermal energy make strategic, financial and sustainable heat supply in Vienna.
The data gathered during the 3D seismic campaign in the fall of 2018, was started in early 2019. The cooperation partner OMV is evaluating the data in various phases providing data to the GeoTief team. Based on the early results, rough models of the geological subsurface of the target area have been created. With that a complete regional subsurface model of the Vienna Basin will be built.
The project furthermore worked on engaging internationally, among others with visits to operating geothermal assets in France, Hungary, Germany and Switzerland.
Further details on the project can be found on the project website.
