At the geothermal site in Skejby, two geothermal wells have been completed. One well will be used to pump hot water to the surface, while the other will return the cooled water back into the reservoir. The foundation is currently being laid for the geothermal heating plant. By the end of 2025, this plant will supply green heat to the district heating network in the northern part of Aarhus.
At the Skejby site in Aarhus, Innargi and Kredsløb's work on the geothermal district heating plant is progressing as planned towards supplying green heat to Aarhus by the end of 2025.
In early February, the drilling of the first well commenced, and now, approximately 3 months later, the first pair of wells is ready to be activated. The drilling process has involved testing for temperature and fluidity, and the results on Skejbyvej appear as anticipated.
This means that Innargi is now starting to build the heating plant that will harvest the heat from the geothermal water and transfer it to the district heating network.
"We are pleased that our work to construct test wells has proceeded as planned. Now we have a completed pair of wells in Skejby, and already this week work will start on our first heating plant, which will transfer the geothermal heat to Kredsløb's district heating network with the help of heat exchangers and heat pumps."
Lars Heineke, Chief Project Officer at Innargi
Once the plant is completed, the neighbourhood can expect a good neighbour for the next 30 years. Some advantages of geothermal energy are that the plants do not produce noise, odor, or take up much space in the landscape once they are in operation.
"Geothermal energy is no longer a desk exercise. This is reality, and we can now begin to sense the first geothermal heat from what will be the EU's largest continuous plant here in Aarhus. It is not an easy task to realise the plans, so I am both happy about the first good results and still hopeful that the further journey will also bring good results."
Bjarne Munk Jensen, CEO at Kredsløb
The work of drilling wells has been both seen and heard by the neighbors in the last three months. In the future, the neighbours can look forward to a quieter neighbour, as the heating system, spanning approximately 500m2 on the ground floor and two floors, is being built and prepared.
Progress is good news for many Aarhus residents
The progress in Skejbyer is not only good news for those who live in northern Aarhus. The geothermal plant in Skejby is part of the project's initial test phase:
"We are not only building a finished plant that will supply green heat to the residents of the Skejby area. We also gather valuable insights and experience about the local subsoil, the heat exchange for Kredsløb's systems and the plant for such a project, which we will take further in the assessment and development of geothermal plants elsewhere in the city," says Lars Heineke.
For Kredsløb, the progress of the test phase is an important element in the city's green transition:
"We cannot sit on our hands if we are to achieve the climate plan for Aarhus Municipality and electrify and future-proof district heating. Therefore, it is crucial that we work purposefully and constantly ensure progress," concludes Bjarne Munk Jensen.
FACTS
- At the time of the project's announcement, the geothermal heating plant in Aarhus was set to be the EU's largest.
- Geothermal energy is expected to be able to cover 20% of the district heating needs in Aarhus
- In Aarhus, geothermal energy is expected to reduce annual CO2 emissions by approximately 165,000 tonnes (reduction in biogenic emissions immediately and reduction due to alternative use of biomass)
About the partners in the project
Kredsløb supplies district heating to 330,000 people and recycles waste for 170,000 households in Aarhus Municipality. Kredsløb has a stated goal of making it easy for customers and partners to contribute to the green transition.
Innargi A/S was founded in 2017 by A.P. Møller Holding A/S and is today owned by A.P. Møller Holding, ATP, NRGi and Sampension. Innargi's mission is to decarbonise district heating by bringing geothermal energy into play as a source of heat in millions of homes with the expertise of an experienced team of geologists, reservoir, facility and drilling engineers, as well as through partnerships with district heating expert.
For further information
Communications Specialist Innargi, Sofie Biering Krogh, +45 4291 4188
