A Second Chance for Geothermal in Geretsried
Fifteen years ago, the Bavarian town of Geretsried pinned its hopes on geothermal energy as a path toward sustainable heating. However, optimism faded when early drilling efforts came up short, failing to access the necessary volumes of hot water underground. As a result, the community remained reliant on natural gas to meet its heating needs. Today, a renewed sense of possibility is emerging, driven by a new generation of geothermal technology that no longer depends on natural reservoirs.
This resurgence is being led by Eavor, a Canadian energy technology firm that is launching its first full-scale commercial geothermal power plant in Geretsried. Unlike traditional geothermal projects that rely on finding and tapping into subterranean aquifers, Eavor’s system extracts heat directly from deep, dry rock formations. The company’s method borrows heavily from proven techniques in the oil and gas industry, a strategic move that could help bypass the barriers that stalled the town’s earlier efforts.
“Our whole point is that we want to have geothermal anywhere, everywhere,” explained Eavor CEO John Redfern. “What better way to prove that than to put our first well where they tried and failed with traditional geothermal systems.”
The Global Implications of a Local Breakthrough
While Geretsried may be a small town, the stakes are global. Geothermal energy has long been considered a niche contributor to the world’s renewable energy mix. But this could change rapidly with the development of technologies that can access geothermal heat at greater depths and in more diverse geological settings. The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently noted that emerging geothermal systems could unlock vast potential around the world.
“It has been a niche energy and concentrated in a few countries,” said Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA. “But soon, geothermal can contribute to the global energy picture in an accelerated manner.”
These developments come at a time when nations are intensifying efforts to phase out fossil fuels. Germany, in particular, has stepped up its energy transition following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, which exposed the vulnerabilities of relying heavily on imported natural gas. Since heating contributes significantly to the country’s carbon emissions, innovative approaches like Eavor’s are gaining serious attention.
How the Eavor Loop Works
Eavor’s solution, called the “Eavor Loop,” represents a radical departure from the traditional model of geothermal energy. Instead of tapping into underground water reservoirs, it creates a closed-loop system that transfers heat from deep within the Earth to the surface. This is achieved by drilling two vertical wells—each reaching depths of around four kilometers (2.5 miles)—and connecting them with multiple lateral boreholes that run horizontally through hot rock layers.
Water is pumped into one end of the loop, where it absorbs thermal energy from the surrounding rock. As it moves through the system, the now-heated water rises naturally due to thermosiphon dynamics, eventually surfacing where it can be used for district heating or to generate electricity.
Importantly, the system does not require fracking or the injection of high-pressure fluids, which are often controversial due to their environmental risks. Eavor’s method is engineered to be both sustainable and scalable, providing a cleaner and safer alternative for extracting geothermal energy.
Scaling Up: From Geretsried to the World
The Geretsried project will be comprised of four Eavor Loops, with each loop consisting of two vertical and approximately a dozen lateral wells. If successful, the model could be adapted to cities around the world, providing a blueprint for geothermal expansion in regions previously considered unsuitable for such systems.
District heating is an area where this technology could have immediate impact. While common in Europe—where about 67 million people are served through over 17,000 networks—most of these systems are still powered by fossil fuels. Replacing those with deep geothermal sources could dramatically cut emissions.
Encouragingly, Eavor’s technology is already attracting international interest. The company has secured a deal in Hanover, Germany, to provide renewable heat as the city moves away from coal. Additionally, Japan’s Chubu Electric Power Company has invested in the company, hoping to unlock the island nation’s substantial but underutilized geothermal potential.
“This is about proving that geothermal can be widely accessible,” said Redfern. “If we can succeed here, we can succeed anywhere.”
Charting a Path Toward Clean, Reliable Energy
The Geretsried plant is expected to begin generating electricity within the year. If the system performs as expected, it will mark a major milestone for the geothermal industry and validate the viability of closed-loop geothermal systems on a commercial scale. The implications could be transformative, positioning geothermal as a stable, always-available complement to variable renewables like solar and wind.
Mayor Michael Müller of Geretsried sees this venture as a turning point for his community. “We want to remain future-proof,” he said. “So let’s start the future.”
The world is watching. As nations search for reliable, carbon-free sources of energy, Geretsried’s second attempt at geothermal success may prove to be a catalyst. The technology is ready, the need is urgent, and the opportunity is global. The question now is not whether geothermal can deliver—but how fast countries can adapt to this new paradigm.
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