Subsurface investigations are set to begin soon | Kaiserslautern Municipal Utilities (SWK) are investigating the subsurface in the region. This is due to begin later this year. The municipal utility company wants to find out whether heat from deep underground can be used to generate energy. If the investigations go well, SWK plans to build a geothermal plant. The aim is to supply the region with environmentally friendly and fuel-independent heat.
“The use of geothermal energy – which is virtually inexhaustible and continuously available – is of particular interest in the context of municipal heating planning,” says Manfred Schulz. The Mayor of Kaiserslautern is representing the Lord Mayor and patron of the Lautrer Energy Forum, Beate Kimmel, who was unfortunately unable to attend. Both Manfred Schulz and the Lord Mayor support SWK’s forward-looking project.
Official launch of the “Pfälzer Wärme” project at the Energy Forum | “We are delighted that, following intensive preparation, we have reached an important milestone,” says SWK board member Dr Arvid Blume. Seismic surveys of the subsoil are set to begin in the autumn. To this end, the municipal utility company still needs to obtain the necessary permits from the authorities and landowners. The 14th Kaiserslautern Energy Forum provided the perfect setting for the official launch of the “Pfälzer Wärme” project.
Website www.pfaelzer-waerme.de for information | Kaiserslautern Municipal Utilities has set up its own website. There, all residents can find out about the project. At www.pfaelzer-waerme.de, interested parties will find not only information about deep geothermal technology. “We provide residents with detailed and transparent information on every stage of the exploration process and the entire procedure,” said SWK board member Dr Arvid Blume.
143-square-kilometre exploration area | Stadtwerke Kaiserslautern has secured the rights to a 143-square-kilometre exploration area. They are searching there for opportunities to utilise geothermal energy. This area encompasses almost all districts of Kaiserslautern as well as several municipalities in the district: Mackenbach, Weilerbach, Rodenbach, Otterbach, Otterberg, Ramstein-Miesenbach, Landstuhl, Kindsbach and Bann.
Concrete conclusions can only be drawn once the survey results have been analysed. Only then will it be clear whether and where the hot water from deep underground will be extracted.