Geothermal energy research powers on

Shell Geothermal BV and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have secured an exploration permit from the Ministry of Economic Affairs in order to further detail their plans, with the aim of developing geothermal energy projects in the port’s western section.

The partners have previously mapped out the area’s subsurface as part of the Ultra-Deep Geothermal Energy (UDG) green deal.

Now focus over the next two years will be geared towards making agreements with potential geothermal energy purchasers, detailing the costs, determining a potential location for test drilling and an investigation into how the infrastructure could look.

The port authority said that it is also essential that geothermal energy can compete with energy from other sources going forward.

Industry in Rotterdam consumes a lot of energy. The port hopes that if geothermal heat can be brought to the surface as hot water, it can serve as a good renewable source of energy, particularly for the production of steam for industry.

Moreover, once slightly cooled following use by industry, the water can be used to heat homes and greenhouses via a regional heat network.

Shell and the Port Authority will involve EBN (Energy Beheer Nederland) in this next stage of planning.