Scientists at the Center for Earth Studies in the Adlershof region of Berlin, Germany, are evaluating the subsurface conditions of a proposed aquifer thermal storage project. To date, 450 meters of test drilling have been carried out into sandstone layers suitable for water storage.

This thermal storage project will be complemented by a heat pump facility run by the district heating company BTB in the Schöneveld area. The heat pumps take water from the River Spree, extract the heat energy and transfer it to the Berlin district heating network. However, the system produces too much energy in the summer and too little in the winter.

If successful, aquifer thermal storage could store excess energy in the summer and provide it in the winter. The water is kept warm hundreds of meters underground, but such a system would require specific types of rock to operate.

"[They] are key to implementing the energy transition. so that the system can operate stably," commented Dr. Sven Fuchs from GFZ Potsdam.

It will take a few more years to complete the thermal storage facility in Adlershof. In the meantime, its capacity will also be limited - it can store enough energy to supply about 3,000 homes for one winter season. In order to expand this capacity, BTB's managing director, David Weiblein, said several exploratory drilling campaigns would need to be carried out in Berlin. This poses a risk of failure, and therefore requires support from the state of Berlin in the form of funding or other financial incentives.

When the aquifer thermal storage facility at Adlershof is completed, it will be the largest project of its kind in Berlin. Currently, there is a local geothermal energy storage facility below the Bundestag.

Stephanie Dedeyne, BTB's project manager, is hopeful that the project will receive faster approvals and less bureaucracy. According to Stephanie, the development of the facility is still at least four years away, and while she expects it to be completed and launched, the process of getting there will "likely be a rocky road."

A large-scale geothermal district heating program had previously been announced for Berlin, initially with three exploration drill sites. The program has been expanded with nine additional exploration drill holes and a 3D seismic survey covering the entire city area.

Source: RBB24

Scientistsfrom the Georesearch Center in Potsdam is evaluating the subsurface in the locality of Adlershof in Berlin, Germany for a proposed aquifer thermal storage project. Test drilling has so far been done to a depth of 450 meters, accessing sandstone suitable for water storage.

Thethermal storage project will complement a heat pump facility being run by district heating provide BTBin the area of Schöneweide. The heat pumps draw water from the Spree river, extracting the heat and feeding it into the Berlin district heating network. The heat pumps draw water from the Spree river, extracting the heat and feeding it into the Berlin district heating network. However, the system generates too much energy in the summer and too little in the winter.

Ifsuccessful, aquifer thermal storage can store the excess energy during summer and make it available during winter. The water is kept warm at hundreds of meters underground, although certain types of rock are needed for such a system to work. The water is kept warm at hundreds of meters underground, although certain types of rock are needed for such a system to work.

"[They] are essential in order to be able to implement the heat transition. So that the system can function stably," commented So that the system can function stably," commented Dr Sven Fuchs from GFZ Potsdam.

Itwill still take a few years before the thermal storage facility in Adlershof is finished. Its capacity will also be limited for the meantime - Its capacity will also be limited for the meantime it can store enough energy to supply around 3000 households over a winter season. To expand this capacity, BTB Managing Director David Weiblein said that several exploratory drilling campaigns will be needed across Berlin. This carries the risk of failure, so support from the state of Berlin in the form of funding or other support will be needed. This carries the risk of failure, so support from the state of Berlin in the form of funding or other financial incentives will be necessary.

Whenthe Adlershof aquifer thermal storage facility is completed, it will be the largest project of its kind in Berlin. Currently, there is a local geothermal energy storage facility under the Bundestag. Currently, there is a local geothermal energy storage facility under the Bundestag.

StephanieDedeyne, Project Manager at BTB, is hoping for faster approvals and less bureaucracy for the project. According to Stephanie, it will still take at least four years for the facility to be developed, and although she looks forward to its completion and launch, the process of getting there will be a major challenge. take at least four years for the facility to be developed, and although she looks forward to its completion and launching, the process of getting there will "probablybe a rocky road. "probablybe a rocky road."

Plansfor large-scale geothermal district heatinghad previously been announced in Berlin, initially with three exploratory drilling sites. The plan has since been expandedwith nine additional exploratory boreholes and a 3D seismic survey to cover the entire city area. The plan has since been expandedwith nine additional exploratory boreholes and a 3D seismic survey to cover the entire city area.

Source:RBB24