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Duisburg and Düsseldorf partner up to explore geothermal energy potential
Duisburg and Düsseldorf are exploring geothermal potential in the area and have launched a website to keep the public informed about progress.
City authorities headed by Lord Mayor of Duisburg Sören Link pointed out that geothermal energy could be used for district heating.
The two cities have launched a joint feasibility study with their municipal utilities to see whether deep geothermal energy can be tapped. Besides utilities, the cities are cooperating with the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Energy, the University of Duisburg-Essen and the Düsseldorf Airport.
Duisburg reminded that the plan is to use geothermal energy for heating, cooling or power generation, stressing that the energy source does not depend on weather, seasons or combustion of fossil fuels.
City authorities noted that the region is suitable for use of medium-deep and deep geothermal energy. According to plans, natural water deposits at depth of 1,500 to 4,000 metres below ground would be tapped using two boreholes.
Hot water would be drawn to the surface, used to power district heating networks and pumped back down to the extraction layer through the other borehole.
The ongoing study is looking for water-bearing layers at suitable depth below Duisburg and Düsseldorf, with the cities stressing that the public can now follow the progress online.
(Photo credit: Geothermie-Rhein)
