A pioneering project in the Dutch city of Bolsward seeks to utilize the residual warmth from the extinct Zuidwal volcano, lying deep beneath the Wadden Sea, to provide sustainable energy to local homes. Spearheaded by Stichting Ontwikkeling Geothermie Friesland (Stogef), a community initiative, the plan aims to reduce reliance on wind turbines and tap into geothermal energy for a more reliable and constant power source. With the Netherlands possessing extensive subsurface data from its history as a major gas extractor, researchers have discovered a layer of porous stone with temperatures reaching approximately 90°C, making geothermal energy an attractive option.
The proposed technique involves a geothermal "doublet" system, where water is extracted from the ground through a production well and its heat is harnessed via a heat exchanger before being reinjected through an injection well. Energie Beheer Nederland, a public energy company, believes that geothermal energy could eventually meet up to 25% of the country's heat demand. Currently, there are 26 operational non-volcanic geothermal energy projects, predominantly heating greenhouses between The Hague and Rotterdam, with plans to significantly expand geothermal production by 2030.
Although some experts view the volcano aspect as a novelty, it does appear to elevate local temperatures, as evidenced by temperature maps derived from drilling projects. Nevertheless, challenges such as limited water flow in the reservoir are acknowledged. Energiewerkplaats Fryslân, a network supporting local energy initiatives, has conducted an investigation into the feasibility of implementing district heating systems with structures at depths ranging from 500 meters to 3 kilometres, estimating the total cost between €143 million and €188 million.
The local council of South-west Friesland aims to establish a public heating network and explore further alternative energy sources. They are seeking support from the government and European partners to drill for geothermal heat by approximately 2027. However, concerns have been raised by the Dutch mining regulator regarding mining risks, following an earthquake scandal linked to gas extraction in Groningen. Despite this, project advisors remain optimistic, emphasizing the balanced nature of geothermal drilling, which involves extracting and reinjecting water to mitigate potential risks. Overall, the project represents an exciting step towards harnessing geothermal energy from an extinct volcano, fostering community-driven sustainable energy initiatives in the region.
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