Germany maybe found a new source of renewable energy
3 hours ago
- #geothermal exploration
- #borehole characterization
- #Rhenish lignite area
- Two exploratory boreholes (EB1 and EB2) were drilled near Weisweiler, Germany, for geothermal exploration, with depths of 100 m (EB1) and 506 m (EB2).
- EB1 was equipped with a 3-component seismometer and EB2 with a double-U heat exchanger, both featuring fiber optic cables for monitoring.
- An enhanced geothermal response test was conducted in EB2 to estimate effective thermal conductivities of Upper Carboniferous formations.
- Analysis of cuttings, cores, and geophysical logs revealed Cenozoic and Palaeozoic deposits, including cyclothems of Upper Carboniferous mudstone, siltstone, sandstone, and coal.
- Findings enable revision of structural geological models with more certain stratigraphic boundaries (Breitgang and Aussenwerke formations) and depth recalculations of Lower Carboniferous Kohlenkalk carbonates.
- The boreholes mark the initial phase of geothermal exploration, with future plans for seismic campaigns and deep wells to assess subsurface resources for district heating in Aachen.