Geothermal Energy

The Geothermal Energy research programme is geared towards the Energy Strategy 2050. In addition to shallow geothermal energy, where the subsurface temperature evolution over many years remains a major topic, direct use geothermal energy, and the potential for producing electricity using geothermal energy, are increasingly important as geothermal reservoirs are explored and become commercially viable.

Current research priorities

Power generation and thermal power coupling

Improving knowledge of the geology of the Swiss subsurface through exploratory drilling;
Developing new prospecting methods to increase the probability of success in an initial exploratory well;
Developing better modelling methods to reduce uncertainties in the discovery and tapping of reservoirs;
Developing new deep drilling methods to reduce drilling costs and increase the yield of new reservoirs (including directed and horizontal drilling methods);
Demonstrating petrothermal pilot plant with in-situ conditions, including drilling, reservoir tapping and stimulation;
Using CO2 as a heat exchange medium in geothermal reservoirs for power generation;
Developing and demonstrating new methods for monitoring and analysing induced seismicity and its risk mitigation.

Heat production from direct use geothermal energy

Improving knowledge of the geology of the Swiss subsurface through exploratory drilling;
Developing new prospecting methods to increase the probability of success in an initial exploratory well;
Developing and demonstrating new methods for the planning and installation of heat storage facilities and their integration in district heating and cooling networks, and in anergy grids;
Developing the smart grid concept in relation to thermal grids, focusing on varying demand and supply and opportunities for contributions to sector coupling;
Conducting risk management (technical and operational risks, possible environmental risks) and investigating long-term behaviour of thermal storage in terms of cyclical heat discharge and storage facility charging;
Promoting acceptance of these utilisation concepts.

Heat production by means of indirect use of geothermal energy (selective need for research only)

Developing good practices for penetration of geo-structures and other utilisation concepts of near-surface geothermal energy;
Monitoring long-term development of the subsurface (especially of the subsurface temperature in urban areas);
Developing sustainable and optimised subsurface utilisation concepts, taking into account various stakeholders and their interests;
Conducting life-cycle analysis (LCA) and monitoring environmental impact of decommissioned geothermal probes.