Workshop “Geothermal fluids in saline systems”

Editorial Topic 4 of the Renewable Energy Program of the Helmholtz Association focusses inter alia on the sustainable and cost-efficient use of geothermal reservoirs for base-load supply of heat and electricity by EGS. Current EGS projects show the limitations of such systems. Firstly, the localization of a potential reservoir prior to drilling still remains a major challenge. Secondly, the mining risk is often too high to invest in survey and drilling costs are high as well. Thirdly, operation and management of a geothermal system face specific challenges with respect to the often aggressive chemical environment of the thermal waters. Finally, the societal integration has to be pushed forward as e.g., public acceptance of geothermal plants is often low due to possible seismic events. EGS demonstration projects such as the geothermal plant in Soultz-sous-Forêts in the Upper Rhine Graben or the GFZ geothermal research platform Groß Schönebeck have shown the general technical feasibility of the EGS approach using innovative stimulation Abstract