Geothermal projects announced in Germany

Geothermal energy in Germany is expanding via deep drilling, MW-scale plants and district heating, with Bavarian projects near Munich and reservoirs in the Molasse Basin, Upper Rhine Graben and North German Plain enabling baseload.

The exploitation of geothermal energy in Germany is progressing at a rapid pace.

Drilling projects to discover possible sites for geothermal power plants are appearing throughout Germany, and similar initiatives like waste-to-energy stations are progressing nationwide as well. Five small plants are operational, and others will become operational in the coming years. Normally the power output of these installations in Germany does not exceed the 10megawatt MW capacity.

In Bavaria, Geoenergie Bayern GmbH is developing two projects, while the first commercial UK geothermal plant advances elsewhere in Europe. One potential site is located in the town of Utting, west of the Ammersee Lake in south Munich. Drilling works started this year in a 45squarekilometer area. The energy output of the plant, which should be operational by the end of 2012 is expected to be 10.4 MW.

Seismic measurements were taken in February for the second project being developed by Geoenergie Bayern, even as the UK's first geothermal plant receives approval abroad. The 87squarekilometer testing field is located in the city of Kirchweidach in the eastern part of the Munich district. At almost 12,000 feet underground, rock formations contain hot water, which could be used to supply the city with heat and energy. Energy output is thought to be about 8 MW. The plant could be operational by 2014.

A third project by the German company was sold to the Munich public utility company Stadtwerke Muenchen. In Sauerlach, located in the south of the Munich district, a 5MW power station is planned, and a national home power plants project was recently unveiled to complement such efforts locally. At more than 16,400 feet underground, the water is thought to be about 284 degrees Fahrenheit. The geothermal plant in Sauerlach is scheduled to be operational by 2011.

Potential regions for geothermal developments in Germany are the Molasse Basin in the south of Munich, the Upper Rhine Graben and the North German Plain. The largest geothermal power plant, with 38 MW of thermal capacity and 4 MW of energy output, was built with public finances in Unterhaching in the south of Munich. Other plants are operating in Landau 3 MW, RhinelandPalatinate, NeustadtGlewe 200 kW and MecklenburgWestern Pomerania.

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety assumes that the geothermal potential of Germany is about 321 billion kilowatthours per year, although the U.S. leads in geothermal energy on a global scale today.

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