Resource Development in a Country with “Normal” Geothermal Conditions – the Achievements of Switzerland

Abstract

Switzerland is a small, well-developed country, especially strong in the third economic sector like banking. It population totals 7 millions, its surface is 40’000 km2. Total energy consumption in 2003 was 873 PJ, electricity production 65’000 GWh. Electricity is produced nearly CO2-free: by about 60 % hydro- and 40 % nuclear power.

Whereas practically no geothermal energy was utilized in the early 1970ties (except for balneology at a few spas with thermal springs) the installed capacity for direct use amounts today to 585 MWt; Switzerland occupies a prominent world-wide rank. This achievement is remarkable, for a country devoid of geothermal anomalies. The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) was the main supporter of geothermal development from the very beginning. In the following, a brief geologic outline is presented, the development history is summarized and the present situation is documented.