New tunnels in Steinbach: Secret energy source for Bad Liebenstein!

New tunnels in Steinbach: Secret energy source for Bad Liebenstein!

In Steinbach im Wartburgkreis, an ambitious project is currently being pursued that not only highlights the traditional mining past, but also the future of energy generation. For three years now, a new tunnel has been driven into a shut -down mine, which has already been using several million euros. However, the main reason for tunnel construction is not just historical nature; Rather, it is about ensuring security aspects. Water threatened to build up in the mountain, should be derived from this measure in a controlled manner. But that's not all: there are plans to draw energetic benefits with the newly created tunnels.

The city of Bad Liebenstein commissioned a comprehensive study to check the potential of energy generation from the tunnel. According to MDR, nine degrees warm water from the mine could be integrated into a local heating network. The project, referred to as the "lighthouse project" by Silvio Göring, the city's deputy, was launched more than two years ago by Marcus Malsch (CDU), today's Secretary of State.

The potential of geothermal energy

The concept of using geothermal energy from former mines is not new, but is becoming more important. Disappeared mountain louvings can act as "oversized drill holes" that go up to several hundred meters deep. These shaft heights sometimes have considerable thermal energy potential. As [underground.com] (https://unterage.com/publikation/22- interestinges/5-geothermische-energie-aus-hemaligen-bergbaulagen.html), the geothermal deep degree shows a temperature gain of around three degrees per 100 meters, which ensured water temperatures in the shaft areas of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius.

The feasibility study for the new tunnel in Steinbach will not only affect the water that is currently flowing unused into a stream. The air quality and its influence on energy generation are also analyzed. The specialists of the Energiewerkstadt engineering cooperative are to check the details and to determine the framework conditions.

a step into the future

The completion of the new tunnel is planned for the coming year, and information events for the population are scheduled for this year. This creates space for discussions and the commitment of the citizens who are interested in the environmental impact and the sustainable use of resources. The natural gas -independent energy generation from geothermal energy becomes increasingly essential, not only for Steinbach, but also for the implementation of the heat transition throughout Germany. According to Engie, geothermal energy is an inexhaustible and weather-independent energy source that helps to significantly lower CO2 emissions.

The advantages of this technology cannot be denied: with only one kilowatt hour of electricity for heat pumps, up to five kilowatt hours of heat can be obtained. There are perspectives that extend beyond Steinbach. Because the use of disused mining systems for energy production has the potential for numerous regions in Germany and could become a key factor in the energy transition.