At the 14th Lautern Energy Forum, held under the theme ‘Heat of the Future – The Potential of Deep Geothermal Energy’, the municipal utility provided detailed information about its planned deep geothermal energy project.
Just in time for the start of the seismic surveys, all residents were given the opportunity to see for themselves how far the project had progressed. To this end, Pfälzer Wärme set up a Vibro-Truck on Schillerplatz in Kaiserslautern on 26 July 2025, allowing visitors to experience it first-hand. Prior to this, guests had been able to see the Vibro-Truck in action at the municipal utility company’s premises on Karcherstraße.
At all the events, the Pfälzer Wärme team was on hand to answer any questions about the project.
Pfälzer Wärme has already carried out a great deal of preparatory work. The next crucial step is now the planned seismic survey.
Master Operational Plan and Permits | SWK Stadtwerke Kaiserslautern has submitted a master operational plan to the Mining Authority in Mainz for the measurements. In addition, all necessary permits (e.g. rights of way) will be obtained in the run-up to the surveys. All relevant authorities (civil engineering, transport, nature conservation, water management and heritage protection) are also involved in this process. Once the permits have been granted, the survey routes will be planned. The municipal utility has commissioned IPS Informations- & Planungsservice GmbH from Celle to carry out this task. The IPS team is obtaining permission on behalf of SWK to use roads and access private land.
Seismic surveys will begin in the autumn | So-called 3D seismic surveying is a technique that works in a similar way to an ultrasound scan. It involves sending sound waves into the subsoil. The result is a detailed image of the geological structures and possible flow paths within the earth’s layers.
Special vehicles, known as vibro-trucks, are used for this purpose, as has now been demonstrated. These lorries are fitted with vibrating plates. The plates are lowered onto the ground to generate controlled vibrations (sound waves).
The reflected sound waves are recorded by geophones on the surface. The results are used to create a precise 3D model of the earth’s layers.
The survey area covers more than 150 km² | For the seismic measurements, several convoys of special vibro-trucks are travelling along the planned survey lines within the survey area, which covers 153.5 km². Every 30 metres, the vibro-trucks stop at measurement points and send sound waves deep into the ground via a vibrating floor plate. The sound waves are reflected at the boundaries between rock layers, and this echo is recorded by measuring devices – known as geophones – distributed across the surface. Depending on the weather, the measurements will take a total of six to eight weeks. The vibration measurements themselves are expected to be completed within the first three weeks of November.
Around 28,000 geophones in use | The geophones are laid out over a wide area along roads and paths, in meadows and fields, and on municipal and private land, and are located via GPS. Pfälzer Wärme obtains permission to access the sites in advance. The measuring devices, with the data stored within them, are extremely valuable to the company. It is therefore important that the measuring devices remain in place.
Vibro-trucks may cause traffic disruption | The convoy of vibro-trucks moves very slowly – much like a moving roadworks site.
During the measurements, a significant increase in noise levels is to be expected for a short period. All residents within the measurement area will be informed in good time. Furthermore, the vibrations will also be noticeable in the immediate vicinity.
Figures/data/facts about the vibro truck | The Hemi 48 vibrator, mounted on the M12 all-round chassis, is an ideal seismic source unit when high-quality results from geophysical surveys are required. These DMT vibrators are equipped with SSC Force 3 GPS-synchronised source control systems, which are designed for high-productivity acquisition methods (HPVS), autonomous acquisition methods, and both wired and wireless acquisition operations
The vehicle has a total weight of around 21 tonnes and travels at a maximum speed of 20 km/h.
The measurements pose no danger | The Pfälzer Wärme team monitors the situation at all times to ensure that no critical vibrations occur in buildings.
Point of contact for members of the public | Our team is available at pfaelzer-waerme@kl.de to answer any questions or receive feedback regarding the measurements. This contact address is also useful should there be any suspicion that the measurements have caused damage. Our experts will then investigate this.
Background | SWK Stadtwerke Kaiserslautern is investigating the possibilities for utilising deep geothermal energy in the region. The municipal utility intends to use the heat from the hot deep groundwater for district heating in Kaiserslautern. The aim is to reduce fuel imports and become independent of price fluctuations. Deep geothermal energy is a potentially regionally available heat source which, unlike solar and wind power, is always available. Geothermal energy is also virtually free of CO₂ emissions.
The planned measurements are necessary to ensure that any drilling operations can be optimally planned.
