Tapping into the Deep Heat: Rise of Large-Scale Geothermal Energy in Lower Saxony
Increased Installation of Geothermal Power Plants in Lower Saxony - Expansion of Geothermal Power Plants observed in Lower Saxony
Cue the revolution, Lower Saxony! More and more homes and businesses are jumping onto the renewable bandwagon, particularly with geothermal energy. As of the last count by the Lower Saxony State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG), an astounding 26,600 geothermal plants are working their magic across the state. Since 2018, this figure has nearly tripled, just like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
But what's even crazier? The rate of installation growth has slowed down a bit lately. While we saw a staggering 2,500 new plants pop up every year from 2018 to 2022, it dropped back down to a still impressive 1,500 in 2024.
Going Bigger, Going Deeper
The newcomers on the scene are packing a punch, extracting geothermal energy from towering depths, according to Hans-Jürgen Brauner, head honcho of the Geothermal Service at the LBEG. So, while the number of new plants has dwindled, the size and might have skyrocketed.
Now, there are approximately 650 large plants cooking with more than 30 kilowatts of heating power floating around the state. A whopping 80 of these heavyweights found their place in 2024 alone. Since 2018, the number of large plants built in a year has more than doubled. The rest? Well, they're mostly medium-sized, about 4 to 15 kilowatts, and primarily serving private homes.
Geothermal Titans of Emsland
Who's the kingpin of geothermal energy in Lower Saxony? The booming region of Emsland takes the crown, swarming with 3,100 geothermal plants. Hot on its heels is Hannover (2,300) and the district of Cloppenburg (1,300). Harburg, Osnabrück, and Bentheim each have over 1,000 plants, but they remain rare entities in the Harz, Lüneburger Heide, Wendland, and Solling, possibly because of the low population density.
To pull together this sparkling treasure trove of data, the LBEG pored over reports from the responsible authorities.
A Glimpse into Geothermal Energy Stats in Lower Saxony 2024
- Geothermal Energy
- Lower Saxony
- LBEG
- Hannover
- Emsland
And there you have it, folks! Get ready for a geothermal energy explosion (but in a good way!) in Lower Saxony. But if you want a more detailed, up-to-date snapshot of the situation, you might want to check out those intricate reports the LBEG accumulates.
Speaking of regenerative energy advancements:
- RWE and Sunfire are itching to bring hydrogen production to fruition in Lower Saxony via shiny new electrolyzers at the Lingen site[5].
- Neptune Energy is knee-deep in lithium extraction projects in Saxony-Anhalt, which, though not directly related to geothermal energy, points towards Germany's larger-than-life commitment to green energy sources[4].
- Lastly, keep your eyes peeled on the Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems at TU Clausthal in Lower Saxony. This lovable research hub has its hands full with subsurface energy research, which may include elements of geothermal energy, but specifics on large-scale plant development remain hushed[2].
In Lower Saxony's flourishing geothermal sector, science is playing a significant role in propelling the industry forward. For instance, the Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems at TU Clausthal is spearheading subsurface energy research, potentially including geothermal energy development. Similarly, finance is also instrumental in this transformation, with companies like RWE and Sunfire aiming to establish hydrogen production in Lower Saxony using electrolyzers. Furthermore, the environmental-science sector is closely tied to the geothermal industry, as the extraction and utilization of geothermal energy have minimal impact on the environment, making it an attractive renewable energy source in industries like energy.
