GeoTWIN: Deep geothermal energy for heating in northern Germany

Study on New Approaches to Minimizing Risks in the Development of Geothermal Reservoirs

Duration

January 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022

Management

Dr.-Ing. Michael Koppe (DSC - Clausthal University of Technology)
Prof. Dr. Philip Jaeger (ITE - Clausthal University of Technology)
Prof. Dr. Leonhard Ganzer (ITE - Clausthal University of Technology)

Description

The expansion of renewable energy is at the heart of the energy transition. To date, deep geothermal projects have achieved only limited success. Location and reservoir selection, as well as the application of appropriate development and utilization concepts and technologies, play a central role in this success. The latter are crucial for the safe, optimized, and economically viable development of these projects.  

The project focuses on researching the extraction and storage of geothermal energy from depths of up to 1,700 meters at a specific site in the North German Basin, which has high salt content and high gas concentrations in its groundwater. The aim is to determine whether extraction and storage are technologically feasible, even when considering cost factors. To this end, a scientifically validated concept for hydrothermal heat extraction and seasonal heat storage is to be developed in the Hanover/Burgwedel area. The Clausthal University of Technology holds a mining exploration permit for geothermal energy.  

Sub-objectives of the project are:

  • Analysis and interpretation of existing extensive data (seismic data, drilling reports, borehole data and measurements, production data) as well as their integration into a unified database (3D reservoir model)  
  • Subsurface characterization, modeling, and numerical simulations of scenarios for heat extraction and storage (well type, well spacing, temperature development) 
  • Modeling of the water cycle to prevent salt precipitation, gas dissolution, and dissolution processes 
  • Simulation of the drilling process and wellbore stability 
  • Submission of a concept and plan for well construction (wellbore trajectory, drilling fluid and cementing program, and casing design) 
  • Submission of a concept for the completion of layered aquifers in sandstones 
  • Submission of a concept for the process engineering facilities for treating the extracted and reinjected thermal waters 
  • Evaluation of alternative production aids 
  • Risk analyses and economic evaluation on a cost basis