Schwerin - Delayed geothermal showcase project before start of operations
The geothermal plant in Schwerin, which was officially opened by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in the spring, is now set to go into operation by Christmas following the installation of an additional filter. The start of the flagship project had been delayed after suspended solids unexpectedly appeared in the extracted brine during the gradual start-up of the plant in September. Commissioning was halted due to concerns about the technology.
The first borehole was drilled in 2018, explained Stadtwerke Schwerin. "This was followed by the above-ground construction of the plant, so no further brine was extracted." Over the course of the following five years, more and more impurities accumulated in the deep water at a depth of 1,300 meters and were transported to the surface when the plant was restarted.
The geothermal plant is to supply 2000 households in Schwerin with heat. According to Stadtwerke Schwerin, it has invested 20.5 million euros in the project, including 6.8 million euros in subsidies. They are planning further geothermal plants. The conditions for geothermal energy are considered to be very good in large parts of northern Germany.
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- Despite the delay in Schwerin's geothermal project, Olaf Scholz, the SPD leader and German Chancellor, has advocated for increasing Germany's reliance on renewable energy sources, particularly in the context of dealing with climate change.
- The geothermal plant in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, set to be operational by Christmas, is expected to reduce the energy consumption of 2000 households, contributing to Germany's broader climate change efforts.
- The geothermal plant's additional filter installation highlights the need for thorough planning and testing to ensure the safe and efficient operation of such heavy energy infrastructure at the municipal level.
- Amidst concerns about the technology and unexpected suspended solids in the brine, the delay in the Schwerin geothermal plant project could potentially dissuade other municipalities from pursuing similar heavy energy projects.
- In light of the success and challenges faced by the geothermal plant in Schwerin, stakeholders such as the SPD and municipalities in areas with good geothermal conditions in northern Germany might need to reassess their strategies and investments in this form of renewable energy.
Source: www.stern.de
