NRW relies on geothermal energy: Krefeld's drilling shows promising potential!

NRW relies on geothermal energy: Krefeld's drilling shows promising potential!

North Rhine-Westphalia is turning things on its head when it comes to the use of geothermal energy. With curiosity and a dose of Bavarian self-confidence, the planning for geothermal energy is in full swing. In Krefeld, brown water bubbled to the surface during a recent pumping attempt, which clearly indicates the enormous potential for geothermal sources. The Geological Service of North Rhine-Westphalia has now picked up the hot trail and wants to further research these promising results. star reports that the discovery of a 500-meter-thick layer of limestone and more water than expected is spurring flagship geothermal development.

“The results are very surprisingly positive,” says Ulrich Pahlke, director of the Geological Service of North Rhine-Westphalia. Not only is the basis for a sustainable heat supply laid here, but a reservoir is also discovered that is already being used successfully in southern Germany. It should be borne in mind that, statistically speaking, only every second drilling actually achieves the desired result. In contrast to Bavaria, NRW has a less reliable database when it comes to geothermal possibilities. State of North Rhine-Westphalia emphasizes that it is now up to the cities and municipal utilities to align their planning with these new findings.

A step forward for the heating transition

Sabine Lauxen, head of the environmental department in Krefeld, sees this as a real impetus for the heating transition. Geothermal energy could make a significant contribution to the creation of “green” district heating, which to date has relied heavily on waste incineration plants. However, the initiative also requires financial support and investments, probably around one million euros. In this context, knowledge has already been gained that shows that limestone beneath coal-bearing layers is ideally suited as a reservoir rock.

When drilling at a depth of around 1,000 meters, warm water of around 40 degrees Celsius is expected, which opens up the prospect of a sustainable heat source. The Geological Service of North Rhine-Westphalia is already planning a second research drilling in Cologne, which is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. These are all steps that are part of the extensive geothermal energy master plan, which aims to provide for a total of eight research wells by the end of 2028. The big goal: By 2045, up to 20 percent of the heat needs in North Rhine-Westphalia should be covered by geothermal energy.

Further information and planning

In order to create a solid basis for these leisure projects, the NRW Geological Service will continue the comprehensive measurements in Krefeld from March 19, 2025. Drill cores are obtained and geophysical measurements are carried out using a 17 meter high drilling tower. There will also be noise barriers ten meters high to protect the neighborhood during the work. With minimal land use and without the risky fracking methods of the past, the chances of healthy use of geothermal energy in NRW are high. DG NRW explains that these measures not only collect data on the availability of deep water, but also strengthen support for local projects.

The future of geothermal energy in North Rhine-Westphalia looks promising. With a good hand and the necessary commitment, the region could soon become a pioneer in the use of renewable energies.