District heating from deep underground: Schwerin as a role model for the heating transition

19.02.2025

Source: BMWK

In Schwerin, a geothermal plant that is unique in Germany provides a sustainable heat supply. The plant uses 56 degree Celsius thermal water from a depth of 1,300 meters and feeds the energy generated into the district heating network with the help of powerful heat pumps. The cooled water is fed back into the ground for regeneration.

CO2 savings and technical innovations

Since October 2024, the plant has been supplying constant green heat with an output of four to seven megawatts, saving around 7,500 tons of CO2 every year. Initially, unexpectedly heavy sand flow made operation difficult, but additional filters solved the problem.

Blueprint for further projects

Schwerin is located in the North German Basin, which offers ideal geological conditions for geothermal energy. The plant serves as a model for other projects to decarbonize the district heating supply in northern Germany. The DeCarbSN research project is investigating how the efficiency of geothermal plants can be further optimized. Modern 3D models and seismic analyses are being used for this.

Read the full article on the website of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection.