The "Reallabor Geothermie Rheinland" (Field Scale Laboratory for Geothermal Energy Rhineland) is a new research infrastructure designed for the generation of climate-neutral heat in the Rhineland mining district. The project aims to develop a reliable database for geothermal applications on industrial and municipal scales in the region. To this end, the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG is establishing a system for systematically exploring geothermal potential in southern Rhineland, spanning the areas of Aachen, Düren, Jülich, and Stolberg.
Comprehensive geophysical investigations and two deep boreholes are planned. The subsurface will be measured using seismic signals, or sound waves. This method is comparable to ultrasound technology in medicine and makes soil structures visible. The boreholes will also provide data on temperature, water content, and the composition of the rock layers. A technical center for research into georesources, storage technologies, and low-emission energy systems is being built at the Weisweiler power plant site.
The project is a central component of the NRW Geothermal Energy Master Plan. The results will be made available to the public through workshops, open data platforms, and technical guidelines. This project paves the way for regional heat sources that will contribute to the long-term decarbonization and security of the energy supply in NRW.