
- Starting signal for pioneering project
- Next steps in project implementation
- Breakthrough on the road to climate neutrality by 2040
Neu-Ulm: Today, SWU Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm GmbH launched a pioneering project with the aim of significantly decarbonizing the heating needs of Neu-Ulm and Senden. SWU has chosen Eavor GmbH, based in Düsseldorf, as its project partner. The technology company, headquartered in Canada, specializes in deep geothermal energy.
Geothermal energy has sparked the interest of politicians, local authorities, and the public because of its recognized potential for making the heating sector climate-neutral. In particular, deep geothermal energy is also considered to have enormous potential in Germany, Eavor-LoopTM technology is of outstanding importance here, as the new process eliminates the need for finding hot thermal water.
Next steps in project development
The first step is to examine the use of deep geothermal energy in Neu-Ulm and Senden from a geological and technical point of view. The exploratory phase of the project has been running since January 2024 and will first extend over a period of three years. Initially, no drilling will take place; surface measurement methods will be largely be used instead. In addition to environmental assessments, geological investigations are also carried out. A 2D seismic campaign will be carried out in the fall/winter of 2024. The aim is to examine the potential for geothermal energy use within the district heating supply area in Neu-Ulm and Senden.
Breakthrough on the road to climate neutrality by 2040
Neu-Ulm wants to be climate-neutral as early as 2040. To achieve this, it is now necessary to take action on the heating sector as well. Katrin Albsteiger, mayor of the city of Neu-Ulm, supports the project: “The aim to test the safe use of deep geothermal energy in our region marks a significant step towards a sustainable and climate-friendly energy future for Neu-Ulm. By planning for the transformation of heating, we are demonstrating our commitment to innovative and safe energy technologies. In particular, we appreciate that SWU is giving top priority to environmental and safety aspects. This project strengthens our position as a pioneer in the regional energy transition and contributes to making our city’s energy supply sustainable.”
SWU managing director Klaus Eder is convinced of the benefits of deep geothermal energy: “Numerous investigations will now be carried out to leave nothing to chance. Only when this phase has been successfully completed will we make a further decision regarding investment. We will provide information and transparency throughout the process. Direct dialogue with the public is important to us. This project is crucial for a sustainable energy supply for the city and therefore concerns us all.”
Daniel Mölk, Managing Director of Eavor GmbH, emphasizes: “We are particularly looking forward to this project. It shows the foresight and pioneering spirit of SWU to implement a deep geothermal project using Eavor technology in the bedrock for the first time. We will use our further refined Close-Loop Technology 2.0 here once all preliminary investigations have been completed.”
The loop method developed by Eavor is particularly secure. It works by means of a closed circulation system. In principle, this is a deep geothermal probe, but in contrast to a conventional geothermal probe, it has a large number of heat loops underground, comparable to underfloor heating. The heat is extracted from the bedrock by means of heat conduction and released into existing district heating networks on the surface with the aid of a heat exchanger. The Eavor-Loop system helps to minimize environmental impact while enabling safe and reliable geothermal energy use.
Media contacts
SWU Energie GmbH
Karlstraße 1-3
89073 Ulm
Sebastian Koch
Phone 0731 166-1090
sebastian.koch@swu.de
Eavor GmbH
Peter-Müller-Straße 14
40468 Düsseldorf
Alexander Land
alexander.land@eavor.com
Cell +49 171 6988602
www.eavor.de
Eavor GmbH is a subsidiary of Eavor Technologies Inc. Its task is to develop geothermal heat and power generation projects in Germany. Eavor Technologies Inc., the parent company, was founded in Canada in 2017 by specialists from the energy sector. Numerous groundbreaking patents in drilling technology and in the sealing of boreholes form the foundation of Eavor-Loop™ technology. In Geretsried, Eavor™ is writing the next chapter of the energy transition. The Eavor-Loop™ is a geothermal power station with a closed system. In an underground heat exchanger, a heat transfer fluid circulates independently in the plutonic rock. Thermal water is not required.