From project practice to system-level understanding

On March 25, 2026, the 10th Knowledge Transfer Event of the Geothermal Alliance Bavaria (GAB) took place at the Center for Energy and Innovation (ZEI) on the TUM Garching Campus. With approximately 100 attendees on site and further 50 virtual guests, the event drew a large turnout and underscored the growing importance of deep geothermal energy in Bavaria.

Insights from project practices in Bavaria

Dr. Céline Lauer moderated the day and kicked off the morning with practical insights into current geothermal projects. The event began with a presentation by Julio Kemenyfy (KEMCO), who outlined effective project management using the Polling geothermal project as an example. The presentation covered the entire spectrum of services, from planning to the management of drilling and testing operations. Of particular note were the discussed correlations between drilling depth and project duration, as well as the question of how economies of scale can contribute to cost reduction.

Following this, Ferdinand Hülß (Erdwärme Grünwald) and Dr. Carola Leiter (Erdwerk GmbH) presented the Laufzorn II project. As a municipal initiative, this project holds particular significance in the current energy policy landscape. In addition to insights into site planning, such as the proximity to the existing plant, noise abatement measures, and infrastructure challenges, geological and technical aspects were also addressed. Another practical example was the revival of the Vaterstetten geothermal project, presented by Matthias Meneghini (Hörmann ENEX Engineering GmbH) and Dr. Georg Stockinger (ENEX POWER Germany GmbH). The focus was on the “chicken-and-egg problem” between the heating network and heat generation. With the expansion plan presented for this long-planned project, construction of the drilling site is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026.

System-level understanding for geothermal energy

The afternoon focused more on scientific and systemic perspectives. Michael Nitschmann (TUM) assessed the role of deep geothermal energy in Bavaria’s energy transition from a social science perspective. He emphasized that scientific modeling is not neutral but always has spatial and geopolitical implications. In particular, the development of the Molasse Basin was described as a process that redefines not only underground but also overlying spatial structures.

Ludwig Irrgang’s (TUM) presentation focused on the potential of geothermal cooling. The thermo-economic analysis presented showed that geothermal energy can be used not only for heating but also for cooling. This opens up opportunities for energy self-sufficiency, reducing the load on the power grid, and creating new value chains, for example through the establishment of cooling-intensive industries. At the same time, it was emphasized that economic viability depends heavily on factors such as proximity to the borehole, available temperature, and load profiles. In addition, Kalliopi Tzoufka (TUM) presented approaches for integrating thermal storage systems into district heating networks to further accelerate decarbonization.

Feasibility factors of EGS

The session concluded with a presentation by Nora Medgyesi (GAB) on global progress in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). She identified four key feasibility factors influencing the success of such projects: permitting processes, existing demand for district heating, suitable geological conditions, and the availability of local data. It was also emphasized that EGS can, in principle, be implemented across a significant portion of the country’s territory, and that international experience, particularly from the United States, can provide important insights for Germany.

The 10th GAB Knowledge Transfer event once again demonstrated just how diverse and dynamic the field of geothermal energy is currently evolving. In particular, the alternation between concrete project insights and broader scientific perspectives provided a nuanced view of current challenges and opportunities.