Berlin/Potsdam, 18 July 2024 - The Geothermal Congress (DGK) will take place in Potsdam for the first time from 22 to 24 October. This means that the industry's largest event will be held on the doorstep of the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) in Potsdam. The Bundesverband Geothermie e.V. (BVG) has now secured the GFZ as a scientific partner for the congress.

The co-operation between the BVG and the GFZ has been intensive for many years. The "Roadmap Deep Geothermal Energy", in which the GFZ played a leading role, outlines the considerable potential of geothermal energy for a climate-neutral future in Germany. Since its publication, it has served the German Geothermal Energy Association as a scientific basis for its recommendations for expansion.

"The precise quantification of geothermal potential by leading institutes of the Helmholtz Association and the Fraunhofer Society is a helpful tool for persuasion, both at political and public level," says Gregor Dilger, Managing Director of the Bundesverband Geothermie (German Geothermal Energy Association), "We are all the more pleased that we were able to win the GFZ as a scientific partner for our congress."

The Scientific Director of the GFZ, Susanne Buiter, said:

"The GFZ has been conducting research on geothermal energy for more than 25 years. With our research, we are making an important contribution to energy independence based on domestic resources as part of the “Wärmewende”. Just recently, we were able to expand our infrastructure with a globally unique high-pressure facility for researching underground conditions – not least thanks to the support of the state of Brandenburg and the European Union. Interest in geothermal energy is growing among politicians, businesses and the public. We are available here with our expertise and independent, fact-based advice and support."

Ingo Sass, Head of the Geoenergy Section at the GFZ:

"We recognise a growing dynamic in the region and an increased awareness of the potential of geothermal energy. The geothermal and storage projects that the GFZ is developing in Berlin and Potsdam in cooperation with industry are also contributing to this. In addition, there is strong support for hydrothermal geothermal energy from the Berlin Senate.

We are delighted to be the scientific partner of this year's DGK. The transfer of knowledge between research and practice is crucial for the successful expansion of geothermal energy across national borders. We see ourselves as bridge-builders in this regard and will contribute to a successful congress in our city."

Preview of the congress in October 2024

The GFZ is traditionally represented on the scientific committee and with numerous contributions to the scientific programme of the conference. This year, the GFZ is also inviting participants to a panel discussion and will have its own stand. GFZ scientists are also involved in three excursions: A laboratory tour at the GFZ will present, among other things, a new highlight: the recently inaugurated TrueTriax facility, which enables previously unattained experimental dimensions for the investigation of important processes in the deep subsurface. 

The GFZ will also be taking part in a tour of the real laboratory in Berlin-Adlershof (organised by BTB Berlin GmbH) and a visit to EWP GmbH's geothermal energy project on Heinrich-Mann-Allee in Potsdam, to which EWP GmbH has extended an invitation.  

Last year, the DGK in Essen's Haus der Technik broke all visitor records with an increase in registrations of a good 25 per cent and participants from 21 countries. The SNB expects interest to continue to grow this year. The programme includes presentations on how near-surface, medium-depth and deep geothermal energy can be integrated into the future renewable heat mix. This year's focus is on the partner country France.

All information about the congress can be found at:
www.der-geothermiekongress.de

Registration is now open.

About the Bundesverband Geothermie e.V.:

Founded in 1991, the Bundesverband Geothermie e.V. (BVG) is an association of companies and individuals who are active in the field of geothermal energy utilisation in all areas of research and application. It brings together members from industry, science, planning and the energy supply sector. The main tasks of the association are to inform the public about the potential uses of geothermal energy for heat and power generation and to engage in dialogue with political decision-makers. The BVG organises the annual DGK Geothermal Energy Congress as well as workshops on current topics and publishes the technical journal "Geothermal Energy" and other information materials.
 

Press contact BVG:

Sarah Borufka
Bundesverband Geothermie e.V.
Leiterin Kommunikation
Albrechtstraße 22
10117 Berlin
mobil: 0151 57751493
sarah.borufka@geothermie.de
web: www.geothermie.de