RAG to supply Neukirchen an der Vöckla with ecofriendly geothermal energy

17.06.2011 | Pressrelease

RAG’s top priority is the sustainable use of domestic oil and natural gas reserves. This includes re-using dry wells for geothermal projects. The Mühlleiten ML-002 well in the Neukirchen an der Vöckla area was completed in 2009, but did not result in a commercial discovery. With a downhole temperature of 105°C, the 2,875-metre deep well is an ideal source of geothermal heat – one of the most environmentally friendly energy forms that exist. “RAG is playing a pioneering role in combined geothermal and biomass in Upper Austria thanks to the Neukirchen project. The experience gained from this pilot system will create a platform for increased post use of our oil and gas wells for geothermal projects in the future,” noted RAG Chief Executive Officer Markus Mitteregger.

A deep borehole heat exchanger (DBHE) will be installed in the Mühlleiten well by the end of 2011. This will capture geothermal heat in the same way as the shallow borehole heat exchangers used by detached houses. This heat will then be supplied to Bioenergie Neukirchen, which operates a biomass heating plant and district heating network in Neukirchen an der Vöckla. Collaboration with RAG will deliver significant benefits for the biomass plant, as the BHE will cut operating costs. “We are delighted to be cooperating with RAG. This groundbreaking project will assist us in our efforts to provide district heating supplies for the local community,” said Franz Zeilinger, Mayor of Neukirchen an der Vöckla.

After commissioning later this year, the system will have a continuous thermal output of 400–450 kW, for an annual heating capacity of up to 3,500 MWh – equivalent to the annual heating demand of about 200 detached houses.

A connecting pipeline to be laid on the outskirts of Neukirchen will link the borehole heat exchanger to the district heating plant around a kilometre away. From a technical and financial point of view, minimising the length of the connecting pipeline is the key to success for a project of this kind. Water circulating through the pipelines acts as the heat medium. The deep borehole heat exchanger in Neukirchen will serve as a model for other RAG wells and projects.

Bioenergie Neukirchen

Bioenergie Neukirchen has been providing the municipality of Neukirchen an der Vöckla with environmentally friendly energy since 2000. The company’s heating plant went online in 2004, and is using its own timber to heat many buildings. The cooperative has 19 members – most of them farmers from the surrounding area.

Not long ago, oil and gas exploration led to the discovery of warm water reserves with a temperature of 105°C at a depth of 2,800 metres. Bioenergie quickly realised that this was a source of ecofriendly energy and decided to conclude an agreement with RAG under which the deep borehole heat exchanger meets one-third of the heating requirements of Bioenergie’s customers.

“The overriding benefit is that we will not have to run our two furnaces during the summer, and can start them up as required in autumn, winter and spring,” a spokesperson for the operating company explained.

 

Contact:

RAG Rohöl-Aufsuchungs Aktiengesellschaft

Mag. Elisabeth Kolm

Schwarzenbergplatz 16

A-1015 Wien

Tel.: +43 (0) 50724 5448

Mail: elisabeth.kolm@rag-austria.at