Geothermal Potential Across Europe

SpringerBriefs in earth system sciences, pp. 11–27

Abstract

This chapter introduces the geothermal conditions in Europe and explains the distribution of geothermally favorable regions. From a geological perspective, Europe is split along an intracontinental suture zone extending from the North Sea to the Black Sea. Geothermal conditions, heat flow, and temperature gradients are higher southwest of the suture zone than northeast of it, which is related to the different ages of the crust in these regions. Consequently, positive geothermal anomalies occur mainly south of the suture zone in regions of active tectonic deformation, for example, in the Rhine Graben or the Pannonian Basin, both of which are known for their hydrothermal reservoirs. However, most geothermal reservoirs in Europe are intracratonic basin-type reservoirs located both southwest and northeast of the suture zone. Due to a high potential in geothermal development, we discuss two of them in detail, the Danish and the Polish Basins. We also give a more detailed overview of the Pannonian Basin with above-average geothermal conditions.

Authors 3

1. Johanna Fink corresponding Aachen Institute for Applied Geophysics and Geothermal Energy

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Applied Geophysics and Geothermal Energy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

2. Elisa Heim Aachen Institute for Applied Geophysics and Geothermal Energy

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Applied Geophysics and Geothermal Energy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

3. Norbert Klitzsch Aachen Institute for Applied Geophysics and Geothermal Energy

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Applied Geophysics and Geothermal Energy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany