Present Status (1985) on Utilizing Geothermal Energy in the Federal Republic of Germany

Abstract

The geothermal resources and reserved have been estimated for selected aquifers; the resources amount to 124.10/18 J and the reserves to 7.10/18 J. The highest reserves are located in the Molasse Basin. About 205000 heat pumps now are being used for household heating. Furthermore, geothermal energy is currently utilized in seven cities for room heating, for heating household utility water, and for heating a greenhouse. The total installed thermal power in the seven cities is about 6 MW and the utilization, about 14.5 GWh/a. Eight other projects are in the planning stage. In two of them it is also intended to generate electricity to help satisfy the peak power demand. In Germany economic utilization is possible only if the energy cascading concept is applied. The economic feasibility has been demonstrated for a heating project (Saulgau) and a project that also includes electric power generation with the use of an ORC unit (Bruschsal) The geothermal energy amounts to 0.02 percent of the total primary energy consumption in 1983/84, which saves about 6.10/4 per year.