Jump directly to the page contents

Why GeoLaB?

"Heat from the deep is a soil treasure that we have not yet adequately explored, let alone brought into use. GeoLaB will make important contributions to this and enable a knowledge-based approach."


Prof. Dr. Susanne Buiter, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

Geothermal energy can play an important role in our energy supply and provide us with sustainable heat. Heat from the depths is renewable and constantly available, so it does not fluctuate like wind and solar energy.
Near-surface geothermal energy is already being used successfully for numerous buildings or building complexes. Hydrothermal geothermal energy is also being used more and more and supplies entire districts. It uses thermal water, for example from sandstones or porous limestones at great depths. Bruchsal and Munich are examples of this. However, hydrothermal geothermal energy is only possible at certain locations. In order to be able to use deep geothermal energy at many locations and to be able to extract the large amount of energy from crystalline deep rocks such as granites, research is necessary.
Scientists from various disciplines can best carry out this research in an underground laboratory such as GeoLaB. This is because experiments can be carried out directly in the rock. The processes taking place can be precisely controlled and observed. With a research borehole from the surface, this would not be possible as directly or as extensively. GeoLaB is intended to take geothermal research a decisive step forward.

Geothermal utilization systems: Near-surface systems (left) for heat generation, cooling and seasonal storage. Hydrothermal systems for heat generation for district heating networks (center). Petrothermal systems / EGS (Enhanced Geothermal Systems) for heat or electricity generation in crystalline bedrock. © KIT

Three theses justify the necessity of GeoLaB:

  1. Sustainable geothermal use of the crystalline basement for the energy transition requires scientific investigations in an underground laboratory.
    • GeoLaB allows in situ experiments under reservoir-like conditions and the direct observation of complex processes in space and time.
    • GeoLaB enables the necessary basic research (e.g. on constitutive laws, flow behavior in fracture networks under high flow rates, fracture behavior) and applied research (e.g. on borehole integrity).
  2. Sustainable utilization strategies and thus a significant contribution to security of supply and heat transition can be ensured through environmentally friendly technology development.
    • GeoLaB lays the foundation for the development of environmentally sound strategies for the safe use of geothermal energy, such as minimizing seismic risks, and thus also for the controlled and efficient management of the crystalline bedrock.
    • GeoLaB thus also creates the scientific basis for the social acceptability of the technology.
  3. As a holistic research platform, GeoLaB offers cutting-edge research beyond geothermal energy and creates synergies for the development of today's economically relevant geotechnologies.
    • GeoLaB builds up urgently needed knowledge for the development of large underground infrastructures using innovative methods (including virtual reality).
    • GeoLaB enables cooperation between universities, federal institutions and industry.
    • GeoLaB offers a platform for dialog and participation of citizens. GeoLaB brings geosciences to life.