Under the theme “From Innovation to Practice”, experts from science, industry and municipalities discussed the current situation and future prospects of deep geothermal energy use in northern Germany at this key sector meeting. The conference was organised by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), the LIAG Institute for Applied Geophysics, the State Authority for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG), the economic development agency for the City and Region of Hannover, hannoverimpuls, and the German Scientific Society for Sustainable Energy Carriers, Mobility and Carbon Cycles (DGMK).
Lower Saxony has major geothermal potential
“Lower Saxony is one of the federal states with the greatest geothermal potential. If we are serious about the heating transition, we must now systematically develop this resource,” emphasised Carsten Mühlenmeier, President of the LBEG, at the opening of the conference. “As a state authority, we provide the geological data basis and help shape approval procedures so that projects can be implemented more quickly – in close cooperation with the federal government, municipalities and industry,” Mühlenmeier continued.
Bringing together research, data and application
“The North German Geothermal Conference brings science together with energy providers and policymakers. This is important for transferring the latest findings from research projects in this field directly to users and decision-makers,” explains Prof. Dr Inga Moeck, Head of Research Department at LIAG. “Geothermal energy is important for Germany because it is continuously available.”
LIAG supports the further development of geothermal energy not only through research, but also by providing geoscientific information for planning and practical application. With the Geothermal Information System GeotIS (www.geotis.de/en), the institute provides a central digital information platform containing research data and maps on the geothermal use of the subsurface in Germany. Together with research partners such as the University of Göttingen, LIAG research helps to better assess potential and prepare geothermal projects on a data-driven basis.
Deep geothermal energy as a building block of the municipal heating transition
Around half of Germany’s final energy consumption is used for heat. As this demand is still largely met by fossil fuels, deep geothermal energy can make a decisive contribution to supplying municipalities, municipal utilities and industry with geothermal heat independently of weather and season.
Northern Germany in particular has a key role to play in making the heating transition a success. The deep subsurface of the North German Basin offers favourable geological conditions for a baseload-capable, climate-friendly heat supply. Many cities and municipalities already have established district heating networks that will need to be converted to renewable sources in the coming years. At the same time, pressure on municipalities is increasing due to the Heat Planning Act and industrial heat demand.
From new drilling methods to municipal heat planning
The conference programme covered a wide range of topics, from forward-looking technologies to successfully implemented projects. These included new drilling methods and AI-supported forecasting tools for planning and operation.
Another topic was the geothermal development of salt domes, which has so far received relatively little attention. Presentations covered current projects in Lower Saxony, Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as information on new funding instruments, including the federal “Geothermal Exploration Initiative” and the Geothermal Energy Acceleration Act.
A further focus was on specific municipal challenges: the economic viability of facilities, integration into municipal heat planning and the role of transparent public communication. These aspects were explored in greater depth during a panel discussion.
Lithium from thermal waters: new value creation prospects
A special highlight on the second day of the conference was a side event on lithium extraction from thermal waters, where research institutions and industry stakeholders presented current results from the joint project “Li+Fluids”. The project investigated the potential for using hydrothermal fluids in the North German Basin to extract lithium – a topic of growing strategic importance that adds a valuable raw-material component to deep geothermal energy and opens up new value creation prospects for the region.
Original press release: Website BGR (German).
More Information:
www.norddeutsche-geothermietagung.de
Pressekontakt:
Greta Clasen
presse(at)liag-institut.de
0511 643 2066