Ennatuurlijk Aardwarmte explains
At Ennatuurlijk Geothermal we get a lot of questions about what exactly geothermal heat is and how it works. A clear answer to the most frequently asked questions about geothermal heat generation can be found in our animated series 'Ennatuurlijk Geothermal Explains'. We explain step by step how we extract geothermal heat from the earth and use it to heat your home sustainably. Watch the animations and become a heat guide.
Heath from the earth
We want to move away from coal, gas and oil and towards energy that does not impact our planet. Geothermal heat, also known as geothermal energy, is a technology that extracts local and sustainable heat from the underground to heat homes and businesses. The naturally occurring hot water is pumped up from underground. The heat is extracted from it. The cooled water flows back into the same layer of earth where it can warm up again. Want to know more about geothermal heat and how it works? Then watch this animation.
Harnessing heat
We can use our earth's heat for our own demand. The earth's shell is hard and cooled, but beneath it flows liquid magma. The deeper you go into the earth, the higher the temprature becomes. In the Netherlands, it is about 3 degrees per 100 metres. At a depth of 2,500 metres, the temperature is above 85 degrees. And that is more than enough for our homes and much of industry. Want to know more about geothermal heat and how it works? Then watch this animation.
Geothermal energy
The total energy, in the form of heat, coming from a geothermal doublet is completely renewable. No combustion has taken place. So there is no emission of CO2 or other negative impact. These techniques have been studied for decades and are already being used to extract oil and gas. Want to know more about geothermal heat and how it works? Then watch this animation.
How does it work - part 1
To use the earth's heat, we need to drill to certain depths. The longer the water stays at depth, the warmer the water is. Water goes in through 1 well and out through another. Hence, we look for ground layers at great depth, where water can easily find a way in. Want to know more about geothermal heat and how it works? Then watch this animation.
How does it work - part 2
Using a drilling rig, we drill to a depth of 2,500 metres. The first piece with a large diameter, then we place a metal pipe. Then we insulate the layers and the pipe with cement on the outside. Once we are at depth, we place an inner tube through which we can inject water. We do the same on the other side but we use that to produce. Wondering how that works? Then watch the animation on geothermal heat.
From the community
The geothermal system is a closed system where water circulates under fixed and tightly controlled conditions. It involves large amounts of heat that can heat 5 to 10 thousand homes for each geothermal doublet, which is what an injection and production well is called. A doublet up to 2,500 metres, with a volume flow of 250 cubic metres per hour, generates about 15MWh. However, hot water cannot be transported efficiently over long distances. Homes or industry will have to be near the source, within a 20-kilometre radius. Heat from the neighbourhood, for the neighbourhood. Wondering how that works? Then watch the animation on geothermal heat.
Regulating
In one of the wells, we place a pump. The pump ensures that we get the water to depth and keep the pressure the same. This also allows us to control the heat supply by pumping slightly harder or softer. So in summer, when there is less demand for heat, we set the pump slower. In winter, when people turn on the heating, we turn up the pump. Wondering how that works? Then watch the animation on geothermal heat.
Surface
Aan de oppervlakte zie en hoor je weinig van een aardwarmte doublet. Alles past op een oppervlak van minder dan 50 bij 50 meter. Mooi compact dus en met zo min mogelijk ongemak voor de omgeving. Benieuwd hoe het eruit ziet? Bekijk dan hier de animatie.
