Using the subsurface for heating, cooling and storage
Shallow geothermal energy comprises boreholes with a depth of up to 400 meters. The heat available underground is usually harnessed using geothermal probes. Surface collectors, earth baskets and similar technologies are also often counted toward this topic.
Excavation of geothermal probes as part of a test to examine the quality of the hardened backfill material
Geothermal probe heat storages use the ground. In Crailsheim, the storage volume is 37,500 kbm with 80 boreholes at a depth of 55 m.
Installation of geothermal probes for heating and cooling two detached houses (with heat pump), residential area in Waldkirch
Building geothermal probes correctly and using them efficiently
In cooperation with manufacturers, drilling companies and research partners, we focus on the quality of the backfilling of geothermal probes for different installation and operating conditions as well as on the practical installation of geothermal probes.
Another focus of our work is the simulation of the backfilling process and the thermal and fluid mechanical influence on the underground.
For integrated systems and district heating, we consider geothermal probes also on a large scale for the extraction and storage of heat and cold. We supplement these systems with heat pumps.
We are also investigating surface collectors and the thermal use of groundwater, rivers, lakes and similar sources.
Pioneering research in geothermal probe technology
Solites is the know-how leader in the field of the interaction of geothermal probes with the real underground. For the first time, we were able to experimentally demonstrate the filter cake formation that occurs during the backfilling of geothermal probes. This filter cake formation is crucial for the hydraulic and thermal quality of real geothermal probes.
Solites began researching the construction and operation of geothermal probes back in 2007. That research was based on the experience gained from the construction of the geothermal probe heat storage tanks in Neckarsulm and Crailsheim (in German language).
Our self-developed real-scale test rig has been supporting our research work for several years. It is located at the KIT in Karlsruhe and allows the installation of geothermal probes up to a depth of 30 meters in a simulated natural underground.