“Sustainable” fracking of geothermal energy? – noe.ORF.at

In classical fracking, energy companies extract natural gas or crude oil from porous rock layers that may not be suitable for extraction. Until now, however, chemicals had to be pumped deep into the earth to rip rocks under high pressure – and these chemicals have been criticized for many years. Conservationists describe them as extremely harmful. Environmental damage is said to have occurred, particularly in the United States, where the technology is widely used.

When OMV also wanted to use hydraulic fracturing in Weinviertel about ten years ago, residents and some politicians went to the barricades. At that time, Herbert Hofstadter, a professor at the University of Montanversität Leoben, developed a process aimed at eliminating most environmental risks. And instead of the chemicals he criticized, he relied on “obviously completely eco-friendly” materials that would have the same effect.

Waiting position “Tech beer”

For years, plans for a so-called “enhanced bioenergy recovery (BEER)” method have been in the drawer. Energy prices were relatively low, and supplies of cheap Russian gas were secured in Austria. That all changed within a short period of time, and interest in Leoben BEER Technique suddenly came back again.

Hofstadter told noe.ORF.at that fracking using his method has not been politically supported in the past: “One has put a stop to blocking this process.” Well, in times of high energy prices, there are especially in many interested parties abroad, for example in Canada.

However, local inquiries about the technology have already been made, Hofstadter says, without giving any details. OMV recently ruled out classic fracking in this country’s oil and gas production.

Researcher: “Weinviertel is a perfect fit”

However, according to Hofstätter, this is not necessary at all. His technology can also be used to use geothermal energy, that is, geothermal energy – especially in Lower Austria. “There are actually no restrictions on the use of this technology,” says the researcher. “From a geological point of view, the deposits in the Weinviertel and in the Vienna Basin are ideally suited.”

Geothermal energy also involves drilling at great depths, but not for fossil fuels, but for hot water. The process for extracting this water is the same as for oil or gas. “We can copy and paste,” Hofstadter says.

A geothermal reservoir is just like an oil or gas reservoir. “There is also a porous rocky body in whose pores hot water is stored.” If the temperature is high enough but the rock is impermeable enough, extraction isn’t economical either way, according to Sterina’s scientist. “However, if we break up the rock so far by applying the hydraulic pressure that we’ve created with the flow paths and then those flow paths are supported in a way that they don’t get clogged anymore, it can be very economical.”

Future hope for geothermal energy

In any case, OMV has big plans for geothermal energy. It should provide eight to nine TWh by 2030. For comparison: The annual electricity consumption across Lower Austria is about twelve TWh. Lower Austria should play a major role here. According to OMV, a concrete project is already planned here, but details about it have not yet been published.