Biberach researches heat from the depths: geothermal energy project in planning!

Biberach researches heat from the depths: geothermal energy project in planning!

In the Biberach region, intensive work is being done to develop heat from the depths. The city administration has already taken the first steps to analyze the potential of deep geothermal energy. This is not only intended as a sustainable energy source, but could also play an important role in the region's future heat supply. Schwäbische.de reports that ....

As part of a preliminary study by Biberach University and a feasibility study by Erdwerk, two water-bearing geological layers were identified that could enable the use of geothermal energy: the Malm layer at a depth of around 1000 meters and the Muschelkalk layer at a depth of 1600 meters.

Locations for drilling

Three potential locations for the drilling have already been examined: the authority car park on Breslaustrasse, the red square (PG provisional) and the BMX area in Biberach-Süd. These locations are close to an existing local heating network, which would make it easier to integrate geothermal heat.

For the planned use, two wells are required: a production well and a return well. These should be at least 800 meters apart to ensure the efficiency and safety of geothermal energy production.

Temperatures and risks

The Malm layer provides a lower temperature at an estimated 45 °C, while the Muschelkalk offers higher heat at around 70 °C, but also poses greater risks. A seismic survey using vibro trucks is planned to precisely analyze the geological structures. This technique is considered low risk, but could cause small cracks in the road surfaces.

There is a risk that unsuccessful drilling could result in unexpected geological formations or stability problems, which could jeopardize project implementation. Additionally, there are concerns about induced seismicity, which has caused damage in other projects in the past. This is exactly where the discussion about the safety and acceptance of citizens comes into play Deutschlandfunk Kultur informs about....

Costs and subsidies

The estimated costs for the necessary drilling and the heat exchanger are around 14 million euros. Around 450,000 euros are estimated for the seismic investigations, with up to 50% funding available. The city is interested in applying for these funds to advance the project.

The earliest feed-in of geothermal heat into the local heating network is expected in 2031. Until then, however, it is necessary for the city administration and the local council to evaluate the project and issue the necessary permits.

Economic considerations

However, in the political discussion there are concerns about the economic viability of the project. The CDU parliamentary group expresses regret about the long time horizon and calls for faster implementation. At the same time, attention is drawn to the need for a transparent economic viability calculation, which must be presented before drilling. In order to increase acceptance among the population, clear information and comprehensive citizen involvement are of great importance in order to reduce fears and build trust Geothermie.de emphasizes that....

Overall, the city of Biberach sees great potential in deep geothermal energy. The key to this project is transparent communication and consideration of the technical, legal and environmental challenges in order to successfully implement the project.