Since January 12, three special vehicles have been sending sound waves into the ground in the municipalities of Breisach, Hartheim, Bad Krozingen, Schallstadt, Ehrenkirchen, Merdingen and Freiburg-Munzingen in order to use a seismic method to discover thermal water deposits.
The three impulse vehicles stop on a predefined measuring section and each hydraulically lowers a heavy plate onto the ground.
This emits sound waves in the range from 10 to 96 Hertz into the ground. The sound waves are reflected by the geological strata in the ground and captured again by around 7,000 small receivers.
This allows the nature of the subsoil to be determined down to a depth of 3,000 meters.
“The measurement area is geologically quite exciting and promises a successful search for hot thermal water,” explained project developer Simon Laub at today’s press event on a site between Breisach and Bad Krozingen.
“If this search for thermal water is successful, we want to build a larger plant to use this water for sustainable district heating. We expect to be able to supply around 40,000 people in the region with sustainable heat using this process,” added Wärmeplus Managing Director Klaus Preiser.
The measurements should be completed by the end of March. The further procedure is planned in close cooperation with the regional council.
The residents of the region are involved in the planning process.
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INFO (Badenova):
badenovaWÄRMEPLUS started on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 with the previously announced 3D seismic measurements in the defined potential area. Special vehicles are expected to be on the road in the seven municipalities of Breisach am Rhein, Merdingen, Freiburg-Munzingen, Schallstadt, Ehrenkirchen, Bad Krozingen and Hartheim until the beginning of March. The aim is to create a detailed picture of the geological structures down to a depth of more than 3,000 m with regard to the use of natural hot thermal water deposits for the regenerative heat supply in the region.
How 3D seismic works:
At the beginning of the measurement, the measurement points were marked in the relevant area. For this purpose, around 8,000 geophones were distributed throughout the investigation area and stuck into the ground. Geophones are yellow measuring rods about 15 cm in diameter that work in a similar way to microphones. It is measured wirelessly. A hiking convoy consisting of three impulse vehicles drives through the measurement area. While the vehicles are in use, they are accompanied by traffic safety vehicles. They stop every 40 meters and generate impulses or sound waves in the underground. The geophones pick up the impulses reflected from the various rock layers in the subsoil. With this measurement, experts can create a concrete picture of the geological structures down to a depth of more than 3,000 m. The measurement area includes Breisach am Rhein, Merdingen, Freiburg-Munzingen, Schallstadt, Ehrenkirchen, Bad Krozingen and Hartheim. There, the geological structures are examined for natural hot thermal water deposits. Interventions in the subsoil are not associated with 3D seismics.
badenovaWÄRMEPLUS asks the residents of the study area not to touch the very sensitive, yellow geophones during the measurement period, as this has a negative impact on the measurement results.
What are the effects of the measurements?:
The convoy can cause short-term traffic disruptions, since the following traffic has to wait briefly (comparable to garbage disposal). Operating noises are audible near the measurements, similar to those occurring in small construction projects. The vibrations from the impulse vehicles can only be felt in a small area. These low-intensity seismic waves are barely noticeable and harmless to humans and animals.
Security writ large:
Additional accompanying measurements ensure that all standards and safety regulations for buildings are observed. Measurements are taken exclusively at the earth’s surface. “Like any construction vehicle, the impulse vehicles can easily sink or create pits on unpaved roads. If you notice such or other damage or if you have any further questions, please contact us. We take care of it unbureaucratically,” says Simon Laub, project manager of badenovaWÄRMEPLUS.
Transparent procedure:
The badenova subsidiary attaches great importance to communication about its own project GEARTH – BREISGAU. That is why the citizens were invited to the badenova service center in Breisach on January 8th, 2022 to find out more about the hiking convoy and the special vehicles as well as the project itself. Around 60 interested people came to the information event, including some mayors and councilors from the communities concerned. Simon Laub: “We were very pleased about the great interest and the positive mood and were able to answer many questions about the measurements and the entire project.”
Further information on the project and a film on the subject of regenerative heat from the depths is available at: badenovawaermeplus.de/geothermie.
If you have any questions, you can email us at [email protected].
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