According to a recent statement, Shell Geothermal BV together with the Port of Rotterdam Authority are jointly investigating the possibilities for geothermal energy in the Port of Rotterdam’s western section. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has issued the two companies an exploration permit.
In fact, obtaining the exploration permit means that Shell and the Port Authority will have time in the following years to further detail their plans, in order to develop geothermal energy projects in the port’s western section. It is said that Shell and the Port Authority will involve EBN (Energy Beheer Nederland) in the detailing of the plans.
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It is said that recently, the subsurface has been mapped out thoroughly as part of the Ultra-Deep Geothermal Energy (UDG) green deal.
Now, the focus in the coming two years will be on making agreements with potential geothermal energy purchasers; detailing the costs; determining a potential location for test drilling and an investigation into how the infrastructure could look.
It is also essential that geothermal energy can compete with energy from other sources.
Test and other drillings are not required at this point.
According to the Port Authority, industry in Rotterdam consumes a lot of energy- and if geothermal heat can be brought to the surface as hot water, it can potentially serve as a good renewable source of energy, particularly for the production of steam for the industry.
What is more, the water can be used to heat homes and greenhouses via a regional heat network, once slightly cooled following use by industry.
Earlier in January, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) published a booklet focusing on the progress of renewable energy in the future, which is expected to double by 2030 to advance the global energy transformation, achieve sustainable development goals and a pathway to climate safety.
Accordingly, IRENA’s booklet “10 Years: Progress to Action” was published for the 10th Annual Assembly of IRENA, presenting the global evolution of renewables and outline the measures needed to boost renewables.
In light of renewables, Google announced the biggest corporate purchase of renewable energy in history, made up of a 1,600-megawatt (MW) package of agreements and 18 new energy deals, in September 2019.
It has been previously said that Reykjavik, Iceland, already uses its natural geothermal energy to limit dependency on fossil fuels.
