Deep Drilling for Geothermal Project in Vienna-Aspern Completed
The joint venture of OMV and Wien Energie completed the drilling work in Seestadt Aspern in July. Now, the water is to be lifted from a depth of about 3,000 meters and subjected to analysis. After that, the construction of the above-ground facility is to begin, explained Roman Fuchs, the Deputy General Director of Wiener Stadtwerke, on Monday.
Geothermal Project to Heat 20,000 Households in Vienna from 2028
For the goal of being climate neutral by 2040, deep geothermal energy is an important technology, said Fuchs. The deep geothermal plant is expected to heat around 20,000 Viennese households from 2028. To extract heat from several thousand meters deep, hot water with temperatures ranging from around 40 to more than 100 degrees Celsius - above 100 degrees, the water becomes gaseous - is brought to the surface through a borehole, where it is then used for heating or electricity generation. The cooled water is then pumped back into the depths through a second borehole.
Vienna Suitable Place for Geothermal Energy
According to Wien Energie CEO Michael Strebl, Vienna is a well-suited place for the use of geothermal energy. Not only are warm sources needed underground, but also a well-developed district heating network on the surface. These two factors are only present in major cities like Munich, Paris, and Vienna. "Therefore, it is important to utilize this," said Strebl. Furthermore, it is "easier to decarbonize district heating than it is with other forms of heating." There is no need to change anything in the houses, just to make the source of district heating CO2-free, explained Strebl.
Geothermal Project Funded by Climate and Energy Fund
That hot water is present has been known for some time, but it needed to be clarified whether the occurrence is large enough and the water hot enough, said the City Councilor for Urban Development, Ulrike Sima (SPÖ). Since 2017, they have been searching for suitable water, "now we have certainty that we can implement it as we envisioned." The planned investment volume for the facility amounts to 90 million euros. The project is also funded by the Ministry of Climate Protection and from the funds of the Climate and Energy Fund.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.