Increasing the efficiency of geothermal energy systems with heat pump technologies

Solutions developed

Austrian thermal spas, key tourist destinations, face high energy consumption, largely from fossil fuels like gas. Deep hydrothermal geothermal energy (>400m depth) presents untapped potential crucial for decarbonization. Utilizing splash water at 30°C offers significant CO2 reduction (~50,000 tons/year). GEO.MAT project aims to harness this potential by using heat pumps to treat wastewater for energy generation, integrating control measures for efficiency improvements. Demonstrations at H2O Therme and Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg aim for high replication potential across thermal spas.

Main results

The GEO.MAT project develops heat pump technologies to upgrade geothermal waste water for heating thermal spas, integrating demand-side and supply-side management for peak shaving and load shifting. It aims to increase market acceptance with easily reproducible integration concepts and a nationwide deployment roadmap. By coupling different energy forms and using advanced control systems, it achieves high flexibility, efficiency, and decarbonization. Special heat exchangers prevent fouling, and sector coupling optimizes business models. The concept aims for CO2-neutral thermal spas, offering a unique selling point and replication potential in Austria and Central Europe.