Switzerland engages Fraunhofer IEG for geothermal consultancy

Representatives of the authorities and the companies and organizations involved at the start of the drilling work at Vinzel, Switzerland (source: Geothermie Schweiz)

The Federal Office of Energy of Switzerland (BFE) has engaged German research organization Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Energy (Fraunhofer IEG) for consulting services over the next 5 years. More specifically, Fraunhofer IEG will provide their expertise in reviewing and approving funding applications for geothermal projects which may receive up to 60% subsidy for their investment.

Fraunhofer IEG offers application-oriented research, development and advice on the relevant technologies, from integrated management of the subsurface to large-scale heat pumps and sector coupling of networks and storage.

“Switzerland has its climate goals firmly in sight and is consistently shaping its energy transition in a sustainable manner,” says Dr. Peter Achtziger-Zupancic, who coordinates the cooperation with the BFE on behalf of Fraunhofer IEG. “We are delighted to be able to accompany Switzerland on its journey and to help ensure that the most promising geothermal projects are implemented and make a contribution to the energy transition.”

In Switzerland, deep geothermal energy is seen as a future-proof option for electricity and heat supply. Just a few months ago, the Federal Council of Switzerland voted in favor of an action plan and roadmap for the development of medium-depth geothermal energy. To support such initiatives, the BFE has set up corresponding funding opportunities for geothermal projects.

The experts at Fraunhofer IEG will be responsible for evaluating these funding applications and providing technical support for the funded projects for the BFE. These advisory tasks are limited to non-sovereign activities in the funding programs of the Federal Office of Energy in the field of deep geothermal energy. Fraunhofer IEG provides the technical assessments on the basis of which the Federal Office can make sovereign decisions and check that the funds are being used appropriately.

Fraunhofer IEG is advised in particular on the topics of plant engineering and sustainable management of reservoirs. It checks and evaluates the incoming project applications in accordance with the criteria set out in the CO2 Ordinance and the Swiss Energy Promotion Ordinance and documents these in reports to the Federal Office.

The Federal Office can now also obtain additional technical advice on the subject of deep geothermal energy within the framework of the “Expert Support for Geothermal Projects” agreement. The framework contract for consulting services runs for 5 years with the option of an extension of 3 years.

Source: Fraunhofer IEG