Energie und Wasser Potsdam GmbH (EWP) and the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences have recently signed a project agreement for the geothermal development of further sites in Potsdam. The agreement marks the start of a four-year period of intensive collaboration as part of the ‘Heat from Geothermal Energy’ cooperation programme, which will significantly advance the use of hydrothermal geoenergy for the Brandenburg state capital’s heat supply.

The aim of the collaboration is to systematically tap into Potsdam’s geothermal potential and integrate it into the municipal heat supply in the long term. The GFZ is contributing its scientific expertise in the areas of exploration, reservoir development, management and monitoring, whilst EWP, as the project sponsor, is responsible for overall planning and investment, technical implementation and integration into the municipal heating network. Furthermore, EWP assumes financial responsibility for implementation and is making the necessary investments in infrastructure, plant construction and grid integration to ensure the projects are carried out reliably and within the planned timeframe. The project contract runs until the end of 2029.

Supplying up to 6,900 households from the first project alone

“With our first major geothermal project on Heinrich-Mann-Allee, we have already impressively demonstrated the potential of geothermal energy in Potsdam,” explains Carsten Schulte, Technical Director at EWP. “This plant alone will feed more than 4 megawatts of thermal power into our heating network in future – equivalent to supplying over 6,000 households. Our collaboration with the GFZ and their expertise enables us to replicate this successful model at other sites.”

GFZ expertise in deep geothermal projects

The GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences is Germany’s national research centre for the geosciences. It investigates the system Earth and its dynamics in order to establish the scientific foundations also for the sustainable use of geological resources. The GFZ is regarded nationwide as a pioneer in the field of deep geothermal energy and possesses outstanding scientific expertise in geothermal research.

“Through this collaboration, we are combining research and practice in an exemplary manner,” says Prof. Dr Susanne Buiter, Scientific Director of the GFZ. “Research into geothermal energy is of paramount importance at the GFZ, as the use of geothermal heat can make a significant contribution to the urgently needed ‘heat transition’. The geological conditions for this are favourable in our region, and we are delighted to play our part in unlocking this treasure.”

Prof. Dr Ingo Sass, project leader on behalf of the GFZ and Head of the Geoenergy Section there, emphasises: “As part of the North German Basin, the geology in Berlin-Brandenburg offers at least half a dozen hydrothermal layers. In Potsdam, several reservoir horizons could be developed and utilised for the first time. This would be a milestone for geothermal heating supply, sending a signal far beyond the North German Basin.”

A future of geothermal heating for Potsdam: new generation plants to replace the power station

As part of its strategy to phase out the combined heat and power plant and maintain security of supply, EWP is planning a total of eight deep geothermal projects.

“The combined heat and power plant has served us very well since 1995. Now the technical equipment is reaching the end of its service life, and we must complete the first phase of the phase-out by 2030,” emphasises Monty Balisch, Commercial Director of EWP. “In future, heat for Potsdam will be generated decentrally at several sites – using deep geothermal energy and river water heat, supplemented by combined heat and power plants and power-to-heat systems. In this way, we are not only meeting legal requirements but also ensuring a future-proof, independent and affordable heat supply for our city.”
 

Further information on geothermal energy and geothermal research at the GFZ can be found on our focus page.