Drilling rig on site at Graben-Neudorf, Germany (source: video screenshot/ SWR)We first reported on the start of drilling in the Graben-Neudorf site in mid-2022, with updates on the well featured during a webinar in late 2022.
The data will be evaluated over the coming months, but this is a positive development for the project which had initially targeted a reservoir with naturally high permeability and temperatures of around 160 degrees Celsius. A combined geothermal heat and power plant is planned for development in Graben-Neudorf.
A second test phase is planned, but the higher-than-expected temperatures has also placed higher demands on the test equipment. Thus, technical requirements will have to be adjusted before the initiation of the second test phase.
Pumping of the thermal water from the Graben-Neudorf site was just reported earlier this month, after the completion of a technical inspection of the geothermal borehole. The drilling rig at the site is now set to be dismantled, pending the decision to drill a second test well by the end of the year.
The development project in Graben-Neudorf is the most advanced project of Deutsche ErdWärme. Aside from Graben-Neudorf, the company is also developing geothermal projects in Dettenheim, Waghäusel, and Karlsruhe-Neureut. These are all in the relatively early stages of development, with the Waghäusel project being in the news several weeks ago for being put up to a referendum.
