Geothermal energy has so far only played a minor role in Germany, although, according to Professor Thomas Kohl from the Institute of Applied Geosciences at KIT, it could cover a large part of Germany’s total heat needs.
On the one hand, this is due to the approval process, but on the other hand it is also due to the loss of know-how and the high costs. However, there are currently many new projects, for example in Munich, Mannheim or Wörth am Rhein.
Greentech geothermal energy: Munich, a city of millions, could soon be almost completely heated by geothermal energy in the district heating sector
“Munich is a unique development,” says Kohl. “Ultimately, it is a city of millions that will soon be heated almost entirely by geothermal energy in the district heating sector.”
There are many drillings in Munich and the suburbs, which means that science has a good knowledge of the subsurface – which is exactly what is missing in other areas of Germany.
“We need to do a lot more research here in order to apply this knowledge more broadly,” explains the expert in the magazine KlimaZeit on ARD.