German heating project profitable 14 years ahead of plans
Unterschleissheim geothermal plant, Germany (source: Unterschleissheim.de)
Alexander Richter
30 Sep 2015
The first geothermal heating plant in Bavaria that started operation in 2003, now reports having reached profitability 14 years ahead of plans.
In a press statement by the German Geothermal Association and the German Industry Forum, it is reported that a pioneering geothermal heat plant has reached profitability 14 years ahead of plans. GTU Geothermie Unterschleißheim AG provides district heating from geothermal wells and started operation in 2003. The project expected to reach profitability by 2028.
The city of Unterschleissheim, through a wholly owned subsidiary, owns and operates the plant.
In a statement the chairman of the German Industry Forum and the President of the German Geothermal Association, Dr. Erwin Knapek said: “The town of Unterschleissheim shows that even the first project to use a new technology can expect reasonable economic results. I congratulate all involved for their perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. The geothermal heating system has long been a reliable and climate-friendly pillar of the heat supply in the city. I am therefore pleased that this pioneering commitment to a low-carbon heat supply is now also reflected on the balance sheet. “
GTU Executive Thomas Stockerl informed the Supervisory Board, chaired by the First Mayor Christoph Böck (SPD) on the profitability, that the company has achieved for the year 2014. While not much of a profit with about EUR73,000 ($80,000), the overall forecast for the plant expected a profitability just by 2028.
Mr. Knapek, adds “In Unterschleissheim it was proven that Hot water is worth money. And it saves Unterschleissheim 8,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) and 120 tanker trucks full of fuel oil. “
The deep geothermal plant in Unterschleissheim derives its heat energy from thermal springs at a depth of nearly 2,000-meter. The thermal water is around 80 degrees Celsius. The municipal company operates a more than 17 kilometer long district heating network with heat energy. Today over a quarter of all residential households (3,700 residential units in 233 buildings) have been connected to the network. There are also 14 municipal buildings, numerous commercial properties and public facilities such as church centers or a center for blind and partially blind.
The overall supply lies today at around 33.5 MW. The city of Unterschleissheim was the first municipality that invested in a deep geothermal plant for heat supply in the region of and around Munich. There are now 20 plants in Bavaria alone that provide heat, cold or electricity and in some cases combined heat and power. Throughout Germany are now around 30 deep geothermal plants in operation. Most are in municipal ownership, as reported by the German Geothermal Association.
Source: Press Release
