NRW starts geothermal revolution: deep holes for green warmth!

NRW starts geothermal revolution: deep holes for green warmth!

Köln, Deutschland - The Geological Service North Rhine-Westphalia plans a research bore in Cologne to explore the potential of geothermal energy for municipal heat supply. This bore is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 in Cologne northeast and examine the limestone in depths of 600 to 1,000 meters. The primary goal is to identify cavities in which water can flow in order to better understand the geological conditions. At the same time, the first research bore of the Geothermia NRW master plan in Krefeld is about to graduate. This hole, which started in March, also analyzes water -bearing layers of rock from lime rocks. On May 26, the Krefeld bore already reached a depth of 885 meters, with a maximum target of 1,000 meters, which underlines the importance of these measures.

geothermal energy describes the thermal energy stored below the surface of the earth, which is used by hydrothermal processes. With this technology, thermal water is pumped from larger depths to the surface, where it can release its energy. In Central Europe, the temperature increases by around three degrees per 100 meters deep. At 1,000 meters deep, the water can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius - a temperature that can be used for the heat supply of residential areas and industrial applications. In North Rhine-Westphalia there are already projects on the geothermal energy close to the surface, but deep geothermal energy is not yet widespread. The plans for this are most advanced in Münster.

project and goals of geothermal energy in NRW

The GEOTHERMA Master plan provides for eight research drilling until the end of 2028, with the ambitious goal of covering around 20 percent of the heat requirement in North Rhine-Westphalia by geothermal energy by 2045. In order to identify suitable locations for drilling for heat generation, the Stadtwerke Münster are planning to create a three -dimensional map of the Münster subsoil by the end of 2025.

These initiatives are part of a larger roadmap for the development of climate -friendly and resource -saving energy sources. The GEOTHERMIE North Rhine-Westphalia master plan was published in April 2024 and sets the course for future energy supply in the region. The social acceptance, which is to be strengthened by comprehensive public relations, plays a crucial role in providing information about the projects and minimizing potential risks. Geothermal energy is a mountain -free floor treasure that requires permits, especially if drilled in large depths.

environmental compatibility and sustainability

The deep -thermal energy production is considered environmentally friendly because it can be developed without fracking, and this protects both the groundwater and the environment. The protection of the groundwater is the highest priority, and approval processes are designed to carefully check possible environmental impacts. An environmental impact assessment is required in particular in the case of holes carried out in nature reserves.

The advantages of geothermal energy for climate protection are diverse. It replaces conventional electricity and heat sources such as coal and natural gas, which can lead to significant CO2 savings. In addition, the conversion of geothermal energy into energy has a very low CO2 emission. The ongoing projects in North Rhine-Westphalia aim not only meet the region's heat requirements, but also to do this in a sustainable way in order to protect the ecological quality and to promote the air purity. Sustainability criteria are taken into account in all geothermal projects from the start.

Overall, it can be seen that the development of geothermal potential in North Rhine-Westphalia is not only an innovative solution for local heat supply, but can also make a significant contribution to climate protection.