Atlas to visualise potential conflicts of interest between CO₂ storage (CCS) and deep geothermal energy (Geothermal Atlas)

Begin of project: October 1, 2010

End of project: March 31, 2013

Status of project: March 31, 2013

In 2009, the German Federal Government envisaged a geothermal atlas in order to visualise potential conflicts of interest between CO₂ storage and deep geothermal energy use in Germany. Within the joint project “Geothermal Atlas” the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG) and BGR developed a basis for the implementation of this governmental decision. During the course of the project the results of the former projects “GeotIS” (LIAG) and “Storage Catalogue of Germany” (BGR and German State Geological Surveys) were merged and complemented by additional information, e.g. about regional fault systems.

Karte mit der Verbreitung der tiefen Sedimentbecken (grau) in Deutschland und Darstellung der Tiefentemperaturen [°C] in 1000 m Tiefe (blau bis violett) Source: BGR

For decision support, distribution maps of formations potentially suitable for geothermal and CO₂ storage utilization have been compiled, merged and interpreted. In order to illustrate comparable overviews of potential utilization of the deeper subsurface, four thematic maps on a scale of 1:1,000,000 have been created.

For the application of both technologies, deep-reaching, regional fault systems are of major importance. In particular, hydraulic features of faults may be vital criteria for both site assessment and selection. Consequently, nationwide deep-reaching fault systems have been identified and described within the project. For this purpose, regional and trans-regional faults, fault zones and fault systems have been selected from existing maps and compiled in a generalized manner.

The results of the project provide geological information supporting fundamental, political considerations of utilization options of the deeper subsurface, especially regarding geothermal energy and CO₂ storage utilization.

The final report and corresponding maps can be downloaded from LIAG’s GeotIS webpage: https://www.geotis.de/homepage/publication?loc=en#final_reports.

Literature:

Schulz, R., Suchi, E., Öhlschläger, D., Dittmann, J., Knopf, S. & Müller, C. (2013): Geothermie-Atlas zur Darstellung möglicher Nutzungskonkurrenzen zwischen CCS und Tiefer Geothermie. – Endbericht, LIAG-Bericht, Archiv-Nr. 131 310: 108 S., Hannover.

Partner:

Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG)

Promotion / document number:

The project “Geothermal Atlas” was financed by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) under grant number 0325257A/B.