| Title | Next Generation Geothermal for large-scale district heating – a feasibility study for Germany |
|---|---|
| Authors | Nora Medgyesi |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | egs, horizontal drilling, multistage-fracturing, district heating, low-enthalpy geothermal |
| Abstract | Deep geothermal in Germany’s heating sector is currently limited by the geographic availability of hydrothermal resources. Next Generation Geothermal, with horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracturing, overcomes this limitation by accessing previously unexploitable resources. The first commercial projects in the US brought high hopes for power production in high-enthalpy regions. However, the heating market requires different boundary conditions, as it needs to be generated locally and operates with a different business model. Could Next Generation Geothermal be the solution for the heating needs of cities in low-enthalpy regions? This work analyses the techno-economic potential of Next Generation Geothermal for district heating in Germany. The work integrates a demand-side analysis with the estimation of the local geothermal potential. The demand is mapped across the existing district heating networks and industrial sites currently operating on fossil fuels, considering both current and projected needs. To find the optimal target formation, the minimum required depth for sufficient heat is determined. Non-suitable formations and known faults are removed or depth-adapted to the requirements of Next Generation Geothermal systems. Furthermore, protected areas and restricted zones are removed from the model. Finally, the number of wells in combination with their optimal depth is determined to achieve maximum techno-economic efficiency. The resulting local levelized cost of heat, combined with the investment requirements, will support local stakeholders in deciding whether to implement deep geothermal in their future portfolio. |