New laws promote geothermal expansion: Munich relies on geothermal energy
New laws promote geothermal expansion: Munich relies on geothermal energy
The change in the heat transition: geothermal energy as the key to sustainable energy future
In a crucial step towards the promotion of renewable energies, the Federal Government presented the draft for a law to accelerate the approval of geothermal systems and large -scale heat pumps, known as GeOWG. This important project was presented in Berlin on Thursday and aims to significantly accelerate the use of geothermal energy in Germany.
A new legal framework for geothermal energy
The GeOWG is the first law in Germany that was specially developed for geothermal energy. It should design the legal framework in such a way that the expansion of the necessary infrastructure and the extraction and use of geothermal energy are simplified. This includes approval processes that are currently often used for several years and are associated with complex bureaucratic hurdles. Dr. Karin Thelen, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Munich (SWM), points out that the planning until the commissioning of geothermal systems currently takes up to ten years - this time frame should be shortened.
The advantages of this law for the community
The importance of the GeOWG for the regional and national heat transition cannot be overestimated. With a significant potential of up to 300 TWH annually, deep geothermal energy could cover up to 25 % of the future heat requirement in Germany. This would be a big step towards climate -neutral heat supply, which is particularly important for urban areas such as Munich. The SWM plans to build at least ten new geothermal systems in the area of Munich. These initiatives will not only boost the local economy, but also make a decisive contribution to reducing CO2 emissions.
The role of European requirements
Another central point in this draft law is the fulfillment of European requirements, in particular that of the Red III Renewable Directive. The introduction of so -called 'acceleration areas' can encourage municipalities to promote the use of the deep geothermal energy. This could be an important element to promote a more sustainable energy future in the entire EU.
Outlook: The challenges and possibilities
Despite the positive response to the draft law, there are still areas that need to be improved to exploit the full potential of geothermal energy. The SWM calls for a general privilege of geothermal projects in all approval areas to ensure the urgently needed progress. Dr. Thelen emphasizes the need to further reduce the legal hurdles in order to consolidate geothermal energy as an essential part of heat supply in Germany.
In summary, it can be said that the GeowG makes an important contribution to the energy transition. By creating a clear legal framework, both public and private actors can invest more easily in geothermal energy and use the advantages of sustainable heat sources for society. The time for these changes has now come, and the steps taken together could form the basis for a sustainable energy future in Germany.