Haute-Sorne pilot project demonstrates usable geothermal reservoir
Geo-Energie Jura has demonstrated the usability of the rock as a geothermal reservoir in the Haute-Sorne pilot project. Geo-Energie Suisse now wants to evaluate sites with a capacity of 10 to 30 megawatts and expects production costs of 15 centimes per kilowatt hour.
According to a press release, Geo-Energie Jura SA has completed theexploration phase of the Haute-Sorne pilot project. A deep borehole has confirmed that the rock can be utilised as a geothermal reservoir. The seismic limit values are complied with when the permeability of the rock is increased.
Independent experts commissioned by the canton of Jura will now examine the documents from a safety point of view. The canton will then decide whether to continue with the project.
Geo-Energie Suisse will now evaluate further projects in Switzerland with an electrical output of between 10 and 30 megawatts. Based on experience abroad, the company assumes that production costs for the generation of electricity of 15 centimes per kilowatt hour are possible. If the production of electricity is combined with that of heat, the economic efficiency could be further improved.
Geo-Energie Jura SA, based in Bassecourt, is a joint venture founded in 2015 by Geo-Energie Suisse SA and the energy suppliers of Baselland(ebl), Bern(ewb) and Zurich(ewz). The Haute-Sorne project aims to explore the use of heat at a depth of 5 kilometres for a geothermal power plant.
The energy suppliers in Ticino(aet), western Switzerland(EOS) and Basel(iwb) as well as Gasverbund Mittelland are also involved in Geo-Energie Suisse SA, which is based in Zurich.