Heating Up with Geothermal: A Rise in Lower Saxony
Expansion of Geothermal Power Plants in Lower Saxony - Increased number of geothermal power stations in Lower Saxony
Hey there! The use of geothermal energy for heating homes and businesses in Lower Saxony is on the rise. There are now a staggering 26,600 geothermal plants in operation throughout the state, reported by the Lower Saxony State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG) in Hanover. This number has nearly doubled since 2018, when only 13,300 plants were in operation, extracting heat from up to 400 meters below the surface.
However, the rate of new installations has recently slowed down, as per the authority. Although the number of newly built plants more than doubled from 2018 to 2022, reaching approximately 2,500 per year, it then decreased to around 1,500 in 2024.
The newer plants are becoming more potent, drawing geothermal energy from greater depths. Hans-Jürgen Brauner, head of the Geothermal Service at the LBEG, explained, "Consequently, although fewer but larger plants are being constructed compared to previous years."
Currently, there are 650 large-scale plants (over 30 kilowatts of heating capacity) scattered across the state, with roughly 80 added in 2024 alone. Since 2018, the annual count of large-scale plants has more than doubled. The majority of the plants, however, are much smaller (4 to 15 kilowatts) and primarily used for private residences.
Emsland takes the lead in geothermal energy usage, boasting 3,100 geothermal plants. It is closely followed by the Hanover region (2,300) and the Cloppenburg district (1,300). The districts of Harburg, Osnabrück, and Bentheim each have over 1,000 plants. Geothermal energy is less prevalent in the Harz, Lüneburger Heide, Wendland, and Solling regions, due to their lower population density, according to the LBEG.
For their study, the authority collected and analyzed data from the relevant approval authorities.
Shallow Geothermal Energy in Lower Saxony 2024 ### Deep Geothermal Energy in Lower Saxony 2024
- Geothermal Energy
- Lower Saxony
- LBEG
- Hanover
- Emsland
While I couldn't find specific reasons for the growth of geothermal plants slowing down or the current distribution across regions, it's important to consider factors like economic challenges, technological limitations, and environmental concerns when examining the development of geothermal energy. For deeper insights into the growth patterns and challenges faced by geothermal plants in Lower Saxony, it's advisable to consult regional energy reports or reach out to local energy authorities.
- It's essential to examine the factors influencing the growth of geothermal energy, such as economic challenges, technological limitations, and environmental concerns, as the rate of new installations in Lower Saxony has slowed down.
- The science behind geothermal energy, especially its environmental impact, should be thoroughly studied, given the increased use of geothermal energy in industries like energy and finance, which are concerned about their carbon footprint and adherence to environmental-science policies in community and employment contexts.
- The German industry, particularly in Lower Saxony, could benefit from investments in geothermal energy plants, considering the potential financial gains and industry advancements that could stem from the increased availability of energy derived from deep geothermal sources, potentially shaping future employment policies.
