Background
Making geothermal energy usable is expected to make a solid contribution to climate protection and secure energy supply in the future. The federal cabinet came to this conclusion in its geothermal energy report on May 13th, 2009. By 2020 approx. 280 megawatts are expected to be installed to generate electrical power from geothermal energy. Assuming a capacity of 5 MW per power station, more than 50 stations must be built to achieve the objective. On the basis of two wells per station, more than 100 wells with sustainable high production capacities need to be constructed within the next 10 years with. Increasing growth of the installed power production up to 850 MW by 2030 is expected.
- Geothermal Potential and Geothermal Projects in Germany. Source: Leipziger Institut für Energie GmbH
Niedersachsen fulfils the requirements concerning usage of geothermal power from the deep subsurface: the geothermal potential is available, the knowledge concerning deep geological subsurface is profound, and the infrastructure for its exploration and development is nowhere better in Germany.
The geological conditions in Niedersachsen are challenging, however. Niedersachsen has neither the high well production rates of thermal water, compared to the Molasse Basin (South Germany) or Rhine valley, nor does it have high temperatures in the shallow subsurface, such as those in the Oberrheintalgraben. In Niedersachsen boreholes must be at least 4.000 – 6.000 m deep in order to reach a temperature level of higher than 150°C, required for an efficient generation of electrical power. In addition, the high salinity of the thermal waters can be expected to lead to corrosion and scaling problems in the primary cycle of the thermal system. Hence, the resulting technological challenges for an efficient development of the huge potential are reflected by the goals of the gebo research association.
