The Laufzorn geothermal heating plant (source: Erdwärme Grünwald)The municipality of Grünwald in Bavaria, Germany and local utility Erdwärme Grünwald (EWG) has officially inaugurated an approximately 5-kilometer-long district heating pipeline that expands upon an existing geothermal district heating network. Constructed over the last 18 months, the new pipeline connects the two geothermal production sites of Laufzorn and Unterhaching.
The new district heating pipeline is part of the effort to expand the geothermal district heating network in Grünwald – a project that was first announced back in 2022. Aside from an expansion of the heating network, this project will also involve the drilling of new wells for two doublets, as well as the construction of a new heating plant. Federal funding for the project had also been announced earlier this year.
In his speech during the inauguration ceremony, Mayor Jan Neusiedl recalled the history of geothermal in Grünwald: “In 2008, when there was no public discussion about renewable heat, the municipality of Grünwald decided to invest in geothermal energy. A total of 1,500 connections were originally planned, but there are currently 2,042, and the number is rising.”
“We were quick to and consistently relied on the great potential of geothermal energy and more than 15 years later, we are more committed than ever to continuing to replace fossil fuels and promote green energy supplies. Geothermal energy is the best solution for the energy transition. It provides a safe supply of valuable energy, is completely CO2-free, works in all weather conditions, and is barely visible.”
Drilling of the new wells is expected to be done by 2026 and will be followed by the construction of surface facilities. The expanded geothermal district heating network is expected to be operational for the 2027 to 2028 heating season.
