Krefeld / Münster (dpa / lnw) – According to the Geological Service of North Rhine-Westphalia, several rock layers in Münsterland can be used for the use of climate-friendly geothermal energy. “It is a luxury that a region has access to three limestone horizons,” said project manager Ingo Schäfer of the German news agency on Monday about the results of seismic measurements in Münsterland. They were carried out in November and December last year using special measuring vehicles. According to the Ministry of Economy, the data should be made available to regional companies, including municipal utilities and energy suppliers, for specific projects. The city of Münster speaks of promising results.
According to Schäfer, water with a temperature of about 40-50 degrees at a depth of about 1200-1500 meters is expected in a limestone layer. “It is certain that the temperature is there. It is not certain how much water will come out”, explained Schäfer. Such a temperature may be sufficient to heat a new residential area. The 4,500 to 5,000 meter layer would be suitable for powering an entire district heating network. 130 to 160 degrees are expected. In the deepest limestone strata at a depth of between about 6000 and 6500 meters, temperatures of about 180 to 200 degrees are likely to be present. Despite the high temperatures at this depth, the water is still liquid due to the immense pressure.
“Now we know where the raisins are in the cake,” explained the project manager of the North Rhine-Westphalia Geological Service. Specific locations could be explored more closely with further checkerboard-like measurements or with perforation. With seismic measurements, the potential of geothermal heat must also be explored in the Rhineland between Viersen, Krefeld, Düsseldorf and Duisburg. Their launch is scheduled for early October. During measurements, vibrations are used to generate sound waves that are reflected by the rock types.
“In the future, deep geothermal energy can become an important pillar of a climate-neutral heat supply in North Rhine-Westphalia. This makes us less dependent on fossil energy supplies,” said NRW Economy Minister Mona Neubaur. (Greens). It is important “that regional actors get to work immediately and, in a good dialogue with citizens, jointly promote the use of deep geothermal energy”. The city of Münster said that the use of deep geothermal energy for a climate-friendly heat supply “seems possible”. The next step is a 3D seismic to get accurate information for drilling at this great depth, explained city construction officer Robin Denstorff.
In hydrothermal deep geothermal energy, hot water is pumped from a water-bearing layer to the earth’s surface with a borehole, the state-owned company explains. Hot water transfers heat to a heating network via a heat exchanger. The cooled water flows back into the aquifer through the second well.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 220926-99-905230 / 4
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