Geothermy - But no ancient coal mine earthworms in Wietze
Use of the former ammunition factory Steinfoerde in Wietze near Celle as a geothermal heat source is off the table. During the examination of the shaft that was closed 99 years ago, it was shown that extracting geothermal heat there would be uneconomical, according to the State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG). Therefore, there will be no use for geothermal energy.
The authority had been examining, together with the Geo Energy Celle association since 2023, whether the shaft could be used for geothermal energy extraction. Heat from 700 meters deep was supposed to be brought to the surface and then distributed over a district heating network, according to the association's plans. According to the reports, it would have been the first such project.
However, during the examination, it was shown that the costs in Steinfoerde were significantly higher than expected. "That doesn't make sense for geothermal energy," said association chairman Wolfgang Genannt in a statement. At least not at this location. The Steinfoerde shaft, which had previously only been flooded, will now be permanently filled, the LBEG announced.
The authority intends to examine other shafts
The idea of using an old mine for geothermal energy could be realized elsewhere. "It would be irresponsible not to examine former mines for their suitability for geothermal energy, which is an important building block of the energy transition," said LBEG President Carsten Mühlenmeier. After all, there are several other former mines in Lower Saxony that still need to be secured.
"We cannot simply make them inaccessible for all time before it is checked whether the heat in the subsurface cannot be used for climate-friendly energy generation," said Mühlenmeier. The next possible site is located directly in the neighboring community: In the coming years, the next shaft of a former ammunition factory in the neighboring community of Hambuhren will be examined.
- Despite the failure at Steinfoerde, the Lower Saxony authority plans to examine other shafts for their potential in geothermal energy extraction.
- The high costs associated with extracting geothermal heat from the Steinfoerde shaft in Celle have made it an unviable location for geothermal energy generation, according to Geo Energy Celle's chairman, Wolfgang Genannt.
- The use of ground heat from former mines like the one in Hambuhren could contribute significantly to Lower Saxony's energy transition, as suggested by LBEG President Carsten Mühlenmeier, indicating a shift in focus towards more sustainable energy sources.
