GeoTES project to investigate the use of geothermal reservoirs for thermal energy storage

The kick-off meeting of the GeoTES research project, September 8th, 2022 (source: TU Clausthal)

A joint project coordinated by the Clausthal University of Technology (TU Clausthal) in Germany aims to optimize the integration of geothermal systems into heating and electricity networks, both to provide geothermal energy and as a seasonal heat store. The recently launched project “GeoTES: Possibilities and limits of thermal energy storage in deep aquifers (geo-reservoirs) as part of the Heat Transition 2030” is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research over three years with a total of around EUR 1.75 million.

The GeoTES project will use a deposit in the Hanover-Burgwedel area as an example to create a mathematical model of an optimized surface and underground heating system and develop its integration into heating and electricity networks. With their high salt content, the deep thermal waters at this location represent typical conditions for northern Germany. The very good seismic exploration status of the example site and investigation results from a neighboring deep well allow a comprehensive deposit characterization of the thermal water-bearing sandstones.

The project will be carried out on the Drilling Simulator Celle. We had previously reported on another three-year research project taking place on the same facility that aims to reduce the cost of geothermal wells by optimizing the transport of cuttings.

In contrast to the usual planning of geothermal projects with two deep wells, one of which is used as a storage well and the other as a producing well, the GeoTES concept includes heat storage with storage wells, whereby each well can be used for both storage and return. As a result, geological risks in particular can be significantly reduced.

Under the overall coordination of Prof. Leonhard Ganzer from the Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems (ITE), two other institutions of the TU Clausthal, the Geosciences Center of the University of Göttingen and the institute for energy-optimized systems at Ostfalia University. As associated partners, the North German Energy Heat Recovery Company (NDEWG) from Lingen/Ems, Deutz Erdgas GmbH & Co. KG from Gehrden and the energy supplier enercity AG from Hanover bring their practical expertise to the project in an advisory capacity.

Source: TU Clausthal