Expansion of Geothermal Power Plants in Lower Saxony - Expansion of Geothermal Energy Plants in Lower Saxony
Welcome to the future, Lower Saxony! The sun isn't the only kid on the block when it comes to renewable energy anymore. More residents in Lower Saxony are embracing geothermal energy as their main heat source. The Lower Saxony State Office for Mining, Energy, and Geology (LBEG) in Hannover announced a whopping 26,600 geothermal plants in operation across the region, tripling the number since 2018!
But here's the kicker — while these numbers have been growing exponentially, the rate of new geothermal plant installations appears to be slowing down. Between 2018 and 2022, we saw over 2,500 new plants each year, only to see that figure drop to 1,500 in 2024. Why? Well, you see, these newer plants are bigger and deeper, extracting geothermal energy from up to a mile below the surface, explains Hans-Jürgen Brauner, head of the LBEG's Geothermal Service. So even though we're seeing fewer new plants, they're larger and more powerful than ever.
Now, here's where things get interesting. There are currently 650 massive geothermal plants in Lower Saxony generating over 30 kilowatts of heating power, and 80 of those bad boys were built last year alone! While the majority of geothermal plants are smaller and typically used for private homes, the regions of Emsland and Hannover take the top spots with over 3,000 and 2,300 plants each, respectively. Cloppenburg and several other districts follow closely behind.
So, what about the uncharted territories? Regions such as the Harz, Lüneburger Heide, Wendland, and Solling boast lower population densities, which explains why geothermal adoption is slower there.
The data collected and evaluated by the LBEG provides a fascinating glimpse into the state of geothermal energy in Lower Saxony. However, there's a dearth of information when it comes to specific trends among large geothermal plants by district for 2024. But rumor has it, the focus seems to be shifting towards district heating and industrial use rather than large-scale electricity generation.
Fast Facts on Geothermal Energy in Lower Saxony (2024)
- Geothermal energy
- Lower Saxony
- LBEG
- Hannover
- Emsland
Sartorius Platinum Campus Leads the Way
But let's not forget about groundbreaking projects like the one at Sartorius Platinum Lab. In 2024-2025, they completed a facility that harnesses the most powerful geothermal field in Lower Saxony for both heating and cooling. The system leverages powerful heat pumps to transform geothermal energy into both heating and cooling, making it a shining example of sustainable building climate control.
Research and Development Mark the Horizon
Institutions like the Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems at TU Clausthal are actively researching subsurface energy systems and energy transformation, which may include geothermal technologies. Although specific large plant data isn't available, it's clear that Lower Saxony is gearing up for a sustainable energy revolution, combining innovation and efficiency for a greener future!
Pro tip: To stay informed on the latest geothermal energy trends, follow the LBEG on Twitter or LinkedIn. Your future self will thank you! 😉
- The Lower Saxony State Office for Mining, Energy, and Geology (LBEG) in Hannover is busy analyzing trends in large geothermal plants across the region, focusing particularly on district heating and industrial use.
- Unexplored regions like the Harz, Lüneburger Heide, Wendland, and Solling have lower population densities, leading to slower geothermal adoption compared to regions such as Emsland and Hannover.
- Institutions like the Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems at TU Clausthal are diligent in researching subsurface energy systems and energy transformation, which may include geothermal technologies, hinting at Lower Saxony's commitment to a sustainable, innovative, and efficient energy revolution.
