© dpa
District heating from below ground: Schwerin is a model for the heat transition
Thermal water bubbling 1,300 metres below ground level at a temperature of 56°C is used to supply heat in Schwerin. A geothermal plant extracts the thermal energy from a borehole using heat exchangers and heat pumps before the cooled water is returned underground.
Since October 2024, the plant has been supplying up to seven megawatts of environmentally friendly heat based on the use of four high-performance heat pumps. This marks the first time medium-depth geothermal energy has been combined with powerful heat pumps, making geothermal heat a reliable, year-round energy source.
Cutting 7,500 tonnes of CO2 annually
At the beginning, the operators of the geothermal plant faced an unexpected challenge: large quantities of sand in the thermal water. Additional filters solved the problem and since it has been commissioned, the plant has reliably supplied green district heating to Schwerin, saving around 7,500 tonnes of CO2 every year.
Schwerin lies within the geologically promising North German Basin. The geothermal plant serves as a model for further local heating projects aimed at decarbonising the region. The DeCarbSN research project is working to accelerate the expansion of geothermal energy for climate-friendly district heating across northern Germany.
Utilising geothermal energy more efficiently
The scientific team is building on insights gained from the planning and commissioning of the Schwerin geothermal plant, as well as from previous projects. In collaboration with the University of Göttingen, Geothermie Neubrandenburg GmbH, and the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics, it is exploring more efficient ways to harness geothermal energy and optimise heat extraction.
The partners are developing 3D models of the subsurface based on 3D seismic data, optimising the extraction capacity of the boreholes, and creating data tools to support sustainable exploration and management strategies.