Section 4.3 | Geoenergy

Technologiefamilie
Geothermal systems (GFZ)
Schematic representation of the utilisation options for geothermal technologies
(GFZ)
Washing of drill cores of the research borehole Gt BTrKoe 1/2021 in Berlin Adlershof, Germany. Almost 200 m of drill cores were retrieved, covering the transition from the Lower Jurassic to the Upper Triassic and providing a detailed picture of the local geological conditions. The 456-m deep borehole revealed new insights to the interpretation of the deeper subsurface in the Berlin area and drilled several horizons suitable for aquifer storage.
Washing of drill cores of the research borehole Gt BTrKoe 1/2021 in Berlin Adlershof, Germany. Almost 200 m of drill cores were retrieved, covering the transition from the Lower Jurassic to the Upper Triassic and providing a detailed picture of the local geological conditions. The 456-m deep borehole revealed new insights to the interpretation of the deeper subsurface in the Berlin area and drilled several horizons suitable for aquifer storage. (Photo: Reinhardt & Sommer / GFZ.)
Measurements with a borehole geophone-chain on Iceland: A 170 metre long chain comprising 17 borehole geophones were installed in the 1240 metre deep borehole R-42 in Iceland. The aim of this campaign was the long-term monitoring of seismic signals. Furthermore, through a second borehole, at a distance of about two kilometres away, water was pumped into the borehole under high pressure in a controlled manner. The resulting underground movements were measureable with this geophone chain.
Measurements with a borehole geophone-chain on Iceland: A 170 metre long chain comprising 17 borehole geophones were installed in the 1240 metre deep borehole R-42 in Iceland. The aim of this campaign was the long-term monitoring of seismic signals. Furthermore, through a second borehole, at a distance of about two kilometres away, water was pumped into the borehole under high pressure in a controlled manner. The resulting underground movements were measureable with this geophone chain. (Photo: J. Kück, GFZ)
Thermo-hydro-mechanically coupled numerical model of the operation of a geothermal well doublet and its influence on the stability of a nearby fault.
Thermo-hydro-mechanically coupled numerical model of the operation of a geothermal well doublet and its influence on the stability of a nearby fault. (G. Hutka, GFZ)
The True-Triax is a modular, expandable, cubic, polyaxial high-pressure testing system for carrying out stress-deformation analyses on rock samples under real triaxial pressure conditions with control options in all three main stress directions.
The True-Triax is a modular, expandable, cubic, polyaxial high-pressure testing system for carrying out stress-deformation analyses on rock samples under real triaxial pressure conditions with control options in all three main stress directions. (Photo: C. Cunow, GFZ)
Cuttings bounce on a shaker screen while the GeoLaB-2 drilling is being controlled. The drilling fluid is the decisive element for progress in drilling technology. The GFZ is working on increasing the drilling speed, reducing tool wear and dispensing with ecologically problematic drilling fluid additives.
Cuttings bounce on a shaker screen while the GeoLaB-2 drilling is being controlled. The drilling fluid is the decisive element for progress in drilling technology. The GFZ is working on increasing the drilling speed, reducing tool wear and dispensing with ecologically problematic drilling fluid additives. (Photo: I. Sass, GFZ)
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We research the utilisation of the upper crust for geothermal energy and storage systems. This includes (i) providing quality-controlled data, innovative methods and the development of technologies to utilise the subsurface as part of a sustainable, environmentally sound energy supply. We focus on investigating new heating or cooling concepts from hydrothermal and petrothermal heat sources and developing options for the geological storage of large quantities (TWh) of surplus heat and energy carriers. The main purpose of our work in the Geoenergy Section is the exploration and development of deep reservoirs for energy utilisation. We combine laboratory studies on rock physics (including geomechanics, hydraulics and thermics) and fluid physics as well as fluid-rock interaction under simulated in-situ conditions with investigations in the field and in underground laboratories and combine the obtained data and findings in geological, geochemical, hydraulic, mechanical, thermal and coupled models. From the measured and modelled data, we derive concepts for the safe and efficient use of geological reservoirs and storage formations.

Exploration geology/data
Team lead:
Team:

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