Ministry of Economic Affairs wants to significantly accelerate the expansion of geothermal energy
Geothermy or Earth heat is considered the third pillar of renewable energies alongside Wind and Sun, due to its local availability. The technology makes heat from rock, ground or deep water beneath the Earth usable. It plays a rather secondary role so far.
Surface-near Geothermy refers to the utilization of Earth heat from up to 400 meters deep. To heat a dwelling in this way, an additional heat pump is required.
Deep Geothermy can extract water from several kilometers deep and supply entire city districts with heating energy through the district heating network. If the temperatures are high enough, additional electricity can be generated with deep Geothermy.
The technology has "great potential," according to a paper from the Ministry of Economy and Climate Action by Federal Minister Robert Habeck (Greens). Approximately one quarter of the heat in Germany could theoretically be generated "under certain conditions using deep geothermal systems."
With the planned law, legal obstacles for the exploitation of Geothermy and the expansion of heat pumps and heat storage systems are to be removed, as the Federal Ministry of Economics announced. Currently, permit procedures are "partially of several-year duration and associated with bureaucratic effort." Heat generation facilities, as well as heat pumps and heat storage systems, are to be considered of "overriding public interest" like Wind energy and solar panels.
Additionally, changes in mining law, water law, and nature protection law are planned, such as deadlines for permit procedures. Legal remedies are also to be accelerated. The consultation process with the states and associations was initiated on a Wednesday, and a cabinet meeting is aimed for in August.
- The Federal Ministry of Economics emphasizes the importance of utilizing geothermal energy for heat production, as stated in the draft law, which aims to remove legal barriers for its expansion.
- Geothermal expansion, including deep geothermy, could significantly contribute to Germany's geothermal energy production, as suggested by a paper from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action.
- BMWi, or the Federal Ministry of Economics, aims to promote the use of geothermal energy by considering heat generation facilities, heat pumps, and heat storage systems as having "overriding public interest," similar to wind energy and solar panels.
- To fully realize the great potential of geothermal energy for heat production, the draft law proposes changes to several laws, such as mining law, water law, and nature protection law, to expedite permit procedures and legal remedies.
- Geothermal energy, along with wind and solar energy, is considered the third pillar of renewable energies in Germany, with the potential to harness rock, ground, or deep water heat for utilization in residential dwellings or city districts, requiring the use of heat pumps for efficient energy conversion.
