CASCADE
Foto CSM_RED_Bohranlage © RAG Archiv
Industrial energy use accounts for approx. 30% of the final energy use. To successfully tackle the decarbonisation of industry as envisaged by NEFI, geothermal energy will play a decisive role in this transformation process due to its versatile application possibilities - heating/cooling, power generation and heat storage. To successfully tackle the decarbonisation of industry as envisaged by NEFI, geothermal energy will play a decisive role in this transformation process due to its versatile application possibilities - heating/cooling, power generation and heat storage. Projects in deep geothermal energy have often been developed for individual and local applications.
The CASCADE project aims to assess deep and shallow geothermal resources in three areas in Upper Austria – Steyr, Gmunden, and St. Martin im Mühlkreis - in order to investigate the feasibility of providing heat for the involved four partners, i.e. industrial partners – Gmundner dairy plant and Hofstetten brewery as well as the district heating grids of the two municipalities Steyr and Gmunden.
„Low-temperature networks for heat supply and cooling (energy networks) open up new possibilities for decentralised energy supply at neighbourhood level. They increase flexibility and promote the integration of local, renewable energy sources. This creates dynamic networks that enable buildings to actively participate in the network as producers and consumers.“
CASCADE has gained the interest and commitment of two communities and two industrial partners who aim to utilize geothermal energy as a local, independent and renewable source. Three application areas have been selected for the assessment of integrating geothermal resources into high-temperature industries and local district heating networks:
- Steyr: District heating network
- Gmunden: Gmundner Molkerei (Gmunden Dairy) and district heating network and
- St. Martin im Mühlkreis: Hofstetten Brewery
Project Progress:
A key element in the CASCADE project is the development of a concept for cascading heat utilization: deep, i.e., high-temperature geothermal energy for industrial and district heating networks, followed by the utilization of medium- to low-temperature residual heat for residential and commercial purposes. This is intended to create regional synergies while significantly increasing the economic viability of the system.
Geothermal heating and cooling networks for industry, commerce and residential buildings
24. January 2024
In the current NEFI project CASCADE, the geothermal potential in Steyr, Gmunden and St. Martin im Mühlkreis in the industrial, commercial and residential sectors will be investigated over the next two years until the end of 2025 using the innovative method of gradual heat utilization. This technology makes it possible to use the thermal energy generated not just once, but in successive stages or "cascades" for various purposes, from heat for industry to heating buildings, with decreasing temperatures.
More information