Joint international Workshop of IEA Geothermal and Wien Energy
06.06.2018The «Development of Geothermal Applications» is a key measure to achieve the energy and climate goals of a country. For this reason, IEA Geothermal organised a workshop on this topic together with the national host «Wien Energie». The event, which was attended by numerous participants, took place in Vienna on 3 May 2018. The excursion on 5 May 2018 provided a direct on-site view of selected geothermal installations in Styria. The event was dedicated to both deep and near-surface geothermal energy.
In his keynote address, the chairman of IEA Geothermal, Lothar Wissing, emphasizes the importance of geothermal heat and cold uses in particular. Only through the massive expansion of such facilities, the climate and energy goals can be achieved. Geothermal electricity, however, is particularly interesting in high-enthalpy regions and at temperatures greater than 150°C.
In a compact overview of the current geothermal applications worldwide, IEA Geothermal Executive Secretary Brian Carey also emphasizes the importance of direct geothermal applications. Even high-enthalpy countries such as Mexico and New Zealand are pushing ahead with geothermal direct use, including heat pump systems. Austria also has enormous potential for such systems, which are currently only used to a very small fraction. «What are you waiting for?» Brain Carey concludes his presentation with these challenging words, in which representatives from the competent Austrian Ministry are also present.
«What are you waiting for?» The potential of geothermal energy is enormous worldwide, both for direct use and for heat pump systems, but is only used to a small fraction (source Brian Carey).
Theodor Zillner (Austrian Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology) explains the framework conditions in Austria and also deals in particular with the «Austrian Energy Research and Innovation Strategy» in order to tap the geothermal potential for the provision of heating and cooling.
Dr. Peter Seifert of the Geological Survey focuses on the geoscientific conditions for the use of geothermal energy in Austria. He also considers the state of development of the market and the legal framework. A major obstacle to the development of hydrothermal geothermal energy in Austria is that the water in the earth belongs to the respective landowner.
In Austria, four regions are particularly suitable for the hydrothermal use of geothermal energy: Molasse Basin, Styrian Basin, Vienna Basin, Pannonian Basin (source Dr. Peter Seifert).
The decarbonization of district heating systems is particularly important for densely populated regions such as the city of Vienna. Dr. Rusbeh Rezania of Wien Energie explains the role of deep geothermal energy and large geothermal, heat pump-based interconnected networks. The decarbonisation of the district heating supply requires a transformation of the entire infrastructure, from heat generation to the end user.
However, non-technical aspects are also relevant for the successful development of deep geothermal energy, as Benjamin Richter (Rödl & Partner) points out. These include, in particular, suitable framework conditions and a government incentive programme specially adapted to the needs.
The continuous expansion of geothermal energy in the city of Munich towards a 100 % renewable heat supply is a lighthouse project worldwide. Christian Pletl (Stadtwerke München) explains the current work and gives an outlook on the next steps. These include the completion of the new geothermal plant in Schäflarnstrasse and the start of another project in Munich-Perlach.
Geothermal energy in the city of Munich: status of work and outlook (source Christian Pletl).
Although geothermal energy is not yet well developed in Austria, there are still some impressive examples. Prof. Dr. Johann Goldbrunner (Geoteam) reports on the achievements and perspectives of deep geothermal in Austria.
Ranking of deep geothermal areas in Austria according to their meaning (Source Johann Goldbrunner).
Gunter Siddiqi (Swiss Federal Office of Energy) provides detailed information on the political framework conditions in Switzerland. The political and legal framework conditions are not yet in place in Austria. Switzerland can serve as an example here.
The Frutura greenhouse project is an impressive new geothermal plant in Styria. Johann Goldbrunner (Geoteam) presents the project with all details. On average, the system delivers 40 l/s hot water at 120°C from a depth of more than 3’000 m. The reinjection temperature is around 60°C. The installed capacity is currently (2018) 15 MWth with a greenhouse area of 17.5 ha, the final target is 27 ha.
Comprehensive geothermal exploration is carried out in the Vienna Basin. Marcellus Schreilechner (Geo 5 GmbH) presents the project GeoTief.
Also the shallow geothermal energy with its numerous possibilities but also challenges in Austria is presented. Gregor Götzl, Dr. Peter Holzer and Giorgio Höfer-Öllinger present several case studies in Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck.
All presentations are available for download on the website of IEA Geothermal
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