Minewater Project

Deep geothermal energy is the conceivable use of geothermal energy in the earth's crust Abteufungen from 400 m. This may be the secondary use of existing tree mining equipment and tunnel systems as well as to Tiefensondagen. The energy hydro or petrothermal obtained can be used for heating purposes or for power generation.

Oddly enough, for example, in the Ruhr mines back down without the deep geothermal use these existing Abteufungen is initiated. There are no reference projects. The deficiency is not remedied by the current mine water project. In the years 2002 to 2005, a study potential " geothermal energy in the Ruhr area " was conducted by the Geological Survey of North Rhine-Westphalia. It was assumed that the use of depth of about 5,000 m.

The Mine Water Project

Under the banner, Old Mines - New energy -standing mine water project of the EU program INTERREG IIIB NWE P. This March 2005 has started and runs until June 2008 pilot project should in principle existing mining facilities revitalize as new energy sources with corresponding effects on the employment opportunities of the mining regions ( White coal). However, the initiated pilot projects are new Abteufungen: 1 In Heerlen, the project Heerlerheide with two wells of depth and 35 ° C 825 m and the plans city park Oranje Nassau with fountains of depth and 35 ° C. The second pilot project Midlothian 500 m deals with the construction of the new settlement structure Shawfair. '