GeoLaB is the geothermal underground research laboratory of the Helmholtz Centres KIT, GFZ, and UFZ in cooperation with TU Darmstadt and BGE currently under development.

As part of the GeoSpeicher Berlin Living Lab, we are building a high-temperature aquifer storage facility (HT-ATES) at the Berlin Adlershof site together with our project partners. We are demonstrating the integration of underground storage into the existing district heating network of BTB GmbH using a large-scale heat pump system.

Scientific support and consultation for Stadtwerke Potsdam (Energie und Wasser Potsdam GmbH, EWP) on sustainable geothermal site development in Potsdam

TRANSGEO accelerates the transformation of abandoned hydrocarbon wells into new sources of green geothermal energy, by creating new tools and knowledge to support communities and industries in the energy transition and breaking down economic and technical barriers to well reuse.

PUSH-IT demonstrates the large-scale application of underground heat storage using three different technologies in geothermal reservoirs. As part of the project, technologies for storing and recovering thermal energy in aquifers, boreholes and abandoned mines (ATES, BTES and MTES) are being developed, implemented and tested.

Thermal Baseline Data for the Evaluation of the Temperature Field in Sedimentary Subareas within the Site Selection Process

The understanding of the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of fault zones in naturally fractured reservoirs

SynCom Project CuLiWell aims at gathering and evaluating the scientific, technological, and societal knowledge and knowledge gaps for the implementation of Cu and Li extraction from deep fluids of the North German Basin to identify pathways to demonstrators and market deployment.

CRM-geothermal investigates the combined extraction of critical raw materials (such as lithium) and geothermal energy from geothermal fluids. We want to reduce uncertainties regarding the occurrence of critical raw materials in geothermal fluids of different geological environments and develop extraction methods for sustainable extraction.

Laboratory Investigations on the Thermophysics of Precambrian Rocks in Canada

THC Prognos aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of geothermal energy extraction by utilizing sophisticated modeling techniques and hydrochemical data from all over Germany to facilitate more effective development and management of geothermal resources.

Development of a research data infrastructure for heat flow data

Quality-assessment of global basic geothermal data

The DACStorE research project is developing a holistic concept for the ramp-up of Direct Air Capture (DAC) and CO2 storage technology, in which the GFZ Potsdam is investigating in the area of ‘system analysis’ the optimal placement of DAC systems with the associated CO₂ storage locations.

The GEOZeit project is investigating the feasibility of underground hydrogen storage in saline aquifers (pore storage) through experimental and numerical analyses at different spatial and temporal scales, to support new H2-based decarbonisation pathways of the industry.

Investigation of a new concept for the integration of transcritical CO2 cycles with underground energy storage and geothermal heat utilisation. In the project, the technical feasibility of the concept is investigated using a model- and laboratory-based approach.

The GEOTHERM-FORA project aims to advance research and innovation for the development and use of geothermal systems in Europe by supporting the activities of the European Technology and Innovation Platform Geothermal and the Geothermal Implementation Working Group.

In the PotAMMO joint project, we are investigating the potential for integrating aquifer heat storage systems into local heating networks on the example of the Mannheim and Offenbach regions. We are pursuing a multi-criteria approach that takes into account geological and hydrogeological as well as technical, regulatory, climatic and economic parameters.

Chemical reactions triggered by individual components in thermal water can have a negative impact on the operation of geothermal plants, such as mineral scaling, particles clogging, and corrosion. The aim of PERFORM II is to filter specific ions out of the brine in order to prevent these processes, including the accumulation of radionuclides.

In the joint project "SpeicherCity", innovative models for the system integration of aquifer storage are being developed, coupled and applied to different locations in Germany. The aim of this joint project is the integration of aquifer storage in today's and future energy systems.

A collaborative project to ensure a quality controlled, authenticated global database of heat flow values.

For the storage of large quantities of thermal energy, the development of seasonal underground heat storage systems is to be subjected to detailed scientific and technical scrutiny. In order to detect performance-reducing processes and to enable sustainable system management, suitable techniques and methods must be developed to quantify system-relevant parameters and to set up early warning systems.

Permanent project for the measurement, analysis, and interpretation of heat-flow and temperature field in the North German Basin.

Distributed fiber optic strain sensing along existing telecommunication networks for efficient seismic exploration and monitoring of geothermal reservoirs

In ATES-IQ, we investigate the suitability of the Cabonat rocks of the Muschelkalk for geothermal use and develop a concept for the exploration, development and operation of a heat storage facility with the help of field and laboratory investigations as well as modelling. We focus our investigations on the site of the former Berlin natural gas storage facility in Berlin-Spandau.

The aim of REFLECT is to avoid the problems that occur during geothermal energy production related to fluid chemistry rather than treat them. This requires accurate predictions and thus a thorough knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of the fluids throughout the geothermal loop.

The main goals of this project are the systematic analysis of the existing research in the fields “geothermal energy” and “low-temperature electricity generation” and the identification of specific topics for knowledge transfer, in particular in the fields “reliable system integration”, “decentralized power supply” and “electrical island mode operation”. Low-temperature power plants can be realized in various sizes, are suitable for the use of different heat sources and have different site-integration concepts depending on technical requirements and non-technical preconditions.

The overall goal of this project is the development of a geothermal heat supply concept for urban areas on the example of a site in the city of Berlin. This should be the particular impulse for an integration of aquifer thermal storage in the Berlin heat supply.

[Translate to English:] Nachhaltige geothermische Standortentwicklung in Schwerin

The project aims to understand the geological conditions underneath Vienna, to determine the geothermal potential of deep geothermal reservoirs for urban heating.

The aim of the project is to improve the stability and integrity of geothermal boreholes. In order to enable efficient and safer production of geothermal fluids, it is essential that the bond between steel pipes and borehole cements remains intact for many years. In high-temperature geothermal energy in particular, considerable thermal stresses occur on the various materials in the borehole. The structural integrity of the boreholes suffers greatly as a result.

DESTRESS aims at demonstrating different stimulation techniques in order to allow for an economic provision of geothermal energy from low productive reservoirs.

The GEMex project is a joint effort of a European consortium (24 partners) with a corresponding consortium from Mexico (9 partners). GEMex focusses on resource assessment and characterization based on the combination of novel and conventional technologies at two geothermal systems in the Mexican Volcanic Belt. Concepts for site development will evolve from the project. GEMex is coordinated by GFZ.

In November 2013, the four year project IMAGE was launched, harnessing research power of key research institutes in Europe and industrial players to develop novel exploration techniques for geothermal power.