geoPUR | Efficient exploration of the geothermal potential in urban areas: GFZ

Efficient exploration of the geothermal potential in urban areas | GeoPUR

Image 1) Empty pipes prepared for horizontal laying, into which the fiber optic cables are pulled for the purpose of telecommunications on Telegrafenberg. Image 2) Measuring principle of spatially distributed strain measurements: the fiber optic serves as a sensor, is coupled to the ground and records its seismic vibrations, which are generated by anthropogenic activity, wind and weather or earthquakes, for example. The fiber optic is read from one end by a so-called interrogator. Image 3) Work on a fiber optic control cabinet when connecting the measuring device in a building of the GFZ. Image 4) Fiber optic measurement: the average noise amplitude is color-coded over time (x-) and location (y-axis). Reddish colored areas indicate strong excitation of the fiber. Diagonal structures indicate signals that move along the fiber over time. The measurement is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the horizontal at medium height, since the fiber being queried runs back and forth over the Telegrafenberg. *(GFZ)*

What is the potential for district heating of the Potsdam area? Determining geothermal potentials requires accurate knowledge of the geological subsurface. In the frame of geoPuR, the development of innovative exploration methods will be continued that based on fibre-optic strain measurements applied to the fibre optical telecommunication network of Potsdam. This new technology recently developed in Iceland, opens up new ways to image and monitore the geological underground. This is of particular importance for urbane centres where common exploration methods are often challenging to conduct and limited by the available space, regulations or public acceptance. Based on the new data, we will develop new exploration modules on a modular basis, which can be adopted flexible on different locations and conditions. ...additional information

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