In times of rising energy prices geothermal heat provision becomes an increasingly attractive alternative. Therefore knowing the subsurface temperatures, the general hydrothermal regime  and consequences of producing geothermal energy are prerequisites before implementing expensive production infrastructures. To predict the characteristics of the deep thermal field beneath Germany’s capital Berlin, a data-based lithosphere-scale 3D structural model is developed that provides the geometric base for 3D thermal simulations considering different heat transport mechanisms. The results indicate fundamentally different structural and thermal configurations for potential geothermal target units.

Publications

Frick, M., Scheck-Wenderoth, M., Cacace, M., Schneider, M. (2019): Boundary condition control on inter-aquifer flow in the subsurface of Berlin (Germany) – new insights from 3-D numerical modelling. - Advances in Geosciences, 49, 9-18. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-49-9-2019

Frick, M., Scheck-Wenderoth, M., Schneider, M., Cacace, M. (2019): Surface to Groundwater Interactions beneath the City of Berlin: Results from 3D Models. - Geofluids, 2019, 4129016. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4129016

Scheck-Wenderoth, M., Frick, M., Cacace, M., Sippel, J. (2017): Overcoming Spatial Scales in Geothermal Modelling for Urban Areas. - Energy Procedia, 125, 98-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.08.080

Frick, M., Scheck-Wenderoth, M., Sippel, J., Cacace, M. (2015): Sensitivity of a 3D Geothermal Model of Berlin with Respect to Upper Boundary Conditions. - Energy Procedia, 76, 291-300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2015.07.864

Sippel, J., Fuchs, S., Cacace, M., Kastner, O., Huenges, E., Scheck-Wenderoth, M. (2013): Deep 3D thermal modelling for the city of Berlin (Germany). - Environmental Earth Sciences, 70, 8, 3545-3566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2679-2

Frick, M. (2019): Towards a more sustainable utilization of the urban geological subsurface: Insights from 3D thermohydraulic models, PhD Thesis, Berlin : Freie Universität Berlin, xx, 129 Seiten p. https://doi.org/10.17169/refubium-1645

Partners:
Maximilian Frick, GFZ, Section 4.8
Berliner Wasser Betriebe
Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung und Umweltschutz