About Projekt THERMO
Projekt THERMO aims to bring geothermal electricity generation to Niedersachsen with a potential by-product of heat production. Our aim is to generate green ‘always-on’ electricity for Niedersachsen’s economy. This will improve Germany’s energy independence, decrease national carbon emissions, and provide jobs and investment in the local economy.
We aim to make a truly positive difference to Niedersachsen and will be donating the cost of our carbon emissions (from transport and survey, calculated from the EU’s carbon price) to a local biodiversity project run by NABU Niedersachsen.
What is geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is simply derived from the natural heat beneath our feet. The rock underneath us gets hotter as we go deeper in the Earth’s crust. To extract geothermal energy deep wells are drilled to access the heat and carry the energy to surface as water or steam. The hot water or steam can be used directly for heating or cooling in many industries and domestic settings or can be used to generate electricity.
As a renewable and sustainable green energy source, geothermal energy provides ‘baseload’ and flexible power generation. This means that the amount of electricity being produced does not change with the weather or time of day, it is constant and ‘always on’.
Geothermal energy has the potential to provide over 10% of the total electricity needs of the world and serve over 20% of the global population, making it a key source for the transition to clean energy and a more sustainable economy.
The sedimentary basins beneath Niedersachsen have long been known to have higher than average geothermal gradients and provide the ideal characteristics for generating geothermal heat and power with the latest geothermal technologies, notably closed-loop systems.
Project THERMO will use the latest technology to ensure that production of safe, efficient and environmentally sensitive green energy is maintained at all times.
Air-FTG
The area we are examining in Niedersachsen is particularly suitable for geothermal energy, as the heat is closer to the surface than in many parts of Germany. However, in order to determine the best possible areas for this energy, we need initially to conduct a geophysical survey.
The type of survey we are using is called Air-Full Tensor Gravity (Air-FTG®) and magnetics survey. This will involve flying a small aircraft over an area covering over 5,000km² to the north and north-east of Hanover. It is provided by Bell Geospace Limited, an experienced company which has been operating these advanced geophysical surveys since 1994 with an unblemished safety record.
A map of the area which will be covered by the survey. Imagery provided by Google Earth.
Red: 5,000km² survey area
Blue: 8km turning circle area
White: Indicative flight lines
“The aircraft is not taking any pictures or video recording – instead, it is taking high resolution gravity and magnetic readings in order to create a geological map of the area.”
The proposed flight altitude is 80 - 300m above ground for optimal retrieval of signal and to accommodate safe flying over built up areas.
The aircraft is not taking any pictures or video recording – instead, it is taking high resolution gravity and magnetic readings in order to create a geological map of the area.
The survey will take place over two weeks over November 2022 and our live tracker page will provide daily updates on the flight programme.
Next steps
Once the Air-FTG® gravity and magnetics survey has been completed, we will analyse and interpret the data and integrate it into our database.
This information will form the basis for deciding on the next phase of Projekt Thermo, which may consist of a 3D seismic survey and/or exploratory drilling. Any subsequent phases of exploration will be conducted in accordance with all relevant permits and regulations and the Company will provide regular updates as to its plans and intentions.
If you have any questions about the Air-FTG® survey or our next steps please see our frequently asked questions page. You can also contact us by email.
Joseph Capriotti, Yaoguo Li, Joint inversion of gravity and gravity gradient data: A systematic evaluation, GEOPHYSICS, 10.1190/geo2020-0729.1, 87, 2, (G29-G44), (2022).