Deep geothermics

Deep geothermics is the term used to describe utilisation of geothermal energy at depths between 400 and 5,000 metres. The temperatures there are far higher than those used as near-surface geothermal energy. Apart from heat supply, deep geothermal energy can be used for electricity generation. Economic electricity generation is possible from a temperature of around 90 degrees Celsius. The advantage of geothermal energy is its constant availability. Geothermal power production is still in the initial stages in Germany. Three plants are in operation to date, one in Neustadt-Glewe, one in Landau and one in Unterhaching. In 2010 about 27 million kilowatt hours have been supplied from geothermics. Its contribution in comparison to other energy sources is rather low. Nevertheless the Federal Ministry for the Environment assumes a possible power supply out of geothermal resources of 150 billion kilowatt hours.