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EnglishCoastal protection and geothermal energy
Relating to the focus topics of both “Coastal Protection” and “Renewable Energies,” one implementation project within RADOST deals with the technical possibilities for thermal extraction of heat or cold from the coastal area or the sea. It illustrates how the thermal use of “beachwater” (a mixture of groundwater and seawater that exists in the saturation zone of coastal areas) or the direct thermal use of sea water can be incorporated in coastal protection measures already at the planning stage.
Coastal protection structures serve as direct protection for settlements and buildings situated near the coast. At the same time, these facilities need to be heated or, in some cases, cooled. Both measures (coastal protection and energy generation) are interventions in the natural environment that can be reduced by combining both measures. Moreover, the thermal use of subsoil and seawater can contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and operating costs. Synergies with coastal protection are also expected.
In the implementation project "Coastal protection and geothermal energy", options for combining measures for coastal protection (such as dunes, dikes, or groynes) and the use of environmental heat will be investigated and subsequently exemplified in model designs. In addition to the extraction of heat or cold in the coastal zone in closed heat exchange systems, direct heating or cooling with sea water – e.g. via geothermal well systems – can also be considered.
Essential basic data for the assessment of opportunities and potentials for the geothermal use of subsoil and sea water will be collected within a period of 20 months in a measuring field (measuring section, transect) specifically installed for this purpose. Investigations focus on the parameters subsoil and water temperature, hydrostatic pressure and electric conductivity. This data will then be adjusted to projections of climate change and subsequently fed into the model design.
Image 1:
Position of the projected measuring section in Warnemünde (Source: H.S.W. GmbH)
Image 2:
Position of the investigation area in Warnemünde (Source: Google maps)
