Seismic surveys to commence for geothermal exploration in Wörth, Germany
Vibrotruck and geophone for seismic measurements (source: Geofizyka Torun)
Carlo Cariaga
6 Feb 2025
WärmeWerk, a joint venture with EnBW and Daimler, is set to commence with a seismic survey to identify geothermal prospects in Wörth, Germany.
A seismic survey will soon begin to determine the location for geothermal drilling and a geothermal plant in the city of Wörth in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The survey will also be covering the neighboring towns of Kandel, Hagenbach, and Jockgrim.
For this purpose, vibrotrucks will be deployed starting the 10th of February until the beginning of March.
The geothermal project in the Germensheim district is being headed by WärmeWerk, a joint venture company of transportation company Daimler Truck, energy company EnBW, and the city of Wörth. The planned geothermal plant will supply heat to Daimler’s industrial facility and to parts of the city. The city of Wörth is located within the Upper Rhine Graben, a region known for having the ideal conditions for high geothermal potential.
The first drilling for the project is scheduled for 2026 and construction of the geothermal plant is expected to start by 2028.
Daimler Truck aims to make sustainable transport a success and achieve CO2-neutral transport by 2050. The transportation company operates a facility in the city of Wörth that employs around 10,000 people, making it the largest local employer. The plant is also in the process of green transformation and manufactures new electric models.
Geofizyka Torun will carry out the measurements on behalf of WärmeWerk. Two to three groups of vibrotrucks will travel across the Germensheim district, creating vibrations that will reflect off the subsurface layers and be detected on the ground by geophones. This will help in identifying subsurface layers and in determining the optimal location for drilling and the subsequent geothermal heating and/or power plant.
“We are very confident that we will complete the seismic survey quickly and successfully,” commented Udo Mertz, managing director of WärmeWerk. The company also stated that they are adhering strictly to the regulation for sesimic measurements in cities to ensure that residents will not be affected by the operations.
Source: SWR.de
