Deep geothermal energy in Münster: DMT commissioned to carry out a 3D seismic survey to drive forward the heat transition
Essen, 24 July 2024 – DMT GmbH & Co. KG, a general planner and contractor specialising in deep geothermal energy, has been commissioned by Stadtwerke Münster GmbH as part of its Strategy 2030 to investigate the geothermal potential in Münster. This marks a significant milestone in driving forward the heating transition and decarbonisation in the region. A large-scale 3D seismic survey is due to be completed in the winter of 2024/25 to assess the geothermal potential in and around Münster.
Dr Maik Tiedemann, Chairman of the Management Board / CEO of DMT GmbH & Co. KG and CEO of the TÜV NORD GROUP’s Energy & Resources business unit, emphasises the key role that deep geothermal energy plays in Germany’s heating sector: “Even now, 25 per cent of Germany’s heating demand could be met using deep geothermal energy in a long-term, sustainable and carbon-neutral manner. The first steps towards accelerating the heating transition with the help of deep geothermal energy have been taken. The task now is to consistently utilise and roll out instruments such as exploration loans or insurance, national and international funding schemes, and fast-track approval procedures. In this way, projects such as the one in Münster can soon be implemented throughout Germany.”
The forthcoming seismic surveys, which DMT will carry out on behalf of Stadtwerke Münster, will explore the deep subsurface between 1,400 and 7,000 metres and cover the entire municipal area of Münster. With up to five vibrator fleets operating in parallel – comprising up to 18 vibro-trucks and a measurement crew of around 80 people – vital data will be collected – an essential step for the further planning and implementation of the heating transition using deep geothermal energy in Münster and the associated decarbonisation. This is because, as part of Strategy 2030, Stadtwerke Münster regards deep geothermal energy as one of its key technologies.
As a partner in seismic exploration, DMT is supporting Stadtwerke Münster in implementing Strategy 2030, thereby jointly making an important contribution to the heating sector and the energy transition.
The exemplary nature of this project promises to have a positive impact on the entire energy landscape and decarbonisation in the region.
As head of the operational teams, Thorsten Müller, Head of Business Entity Exploration Seismic at DMT, is also well aware of the pioneering role the project in Münster plays in Germany’s heat transition: “The forthcoming measurements in the deep subsurface around Münster will provide valuable information to flesh out the agenda for the use of deep geothermal energy in the Münsterland region and to define a roadmap for this project. With our recent acquisition of high-quality, state-of-the-art measuring instruments, we are also ideally equipped to handle the expected increase in orders.”
Even beyond the Münster region, DMT, as a general planner and contractor for deep geothermal energy, is already providing key building blocks for the energy transition and is involved in many other geothermal projects due to be carried out across Germany in 2024, such as for Stadtwerke Parchim, the Fraunhofer IGE in Bochum and the Geological Survey of North Rhine-Westphalia. Further projects across Germany and Europe are already in the planning stage.