Dec 3, 2025
Geothermal battery initiative in Karlsruhe, Germany has been granted a drilling permit.
The drilling permit for the DeepStor project has been approved, aiming to assess the feasibility of high-temperature heat storage in an underground “geothermal battery” located in the Karlsruhe area of Germany. The exploratory borehole DeepStor-1 will be drilled at the Campus North of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
Preparatory activities at the drilling site are set to commence in the upcoming months, with the drilling of the exploratory borehole anticipated to start in the second or third quarter of 2026.
Initially announced in 2023, the DeepStor research initiative is investigating the potential for storing surplus thermal energy during the summer for use in eco-friendly heating during winter. Depleted oil reservoirs are considered suitable for these “geothermal batteries.” The Karlsruhe region, along with the larger Upper Rhine Graben, contains several former oil formations, highlighting significant storage potential in the area.
Consequently, the DeepStor-1 well will be drilled at one of the identified storage sites near the former Leopoldshafen oil field within Campus North. The well will reach a depth of 1400 meters. A drill core will be obtained from part of the borehole, and information from logging and testing will be gathered. Analyzing and modeling this data will address critical questions regarding the subsurface's suitability for heat storage.
Additionally, a seismic monitoring network will be established, linked to a traffic-light response system. Given the sensitivity of the nearby research facilities, strict vibration limits have been set for the DeepStor project.
Preparatory activities at the drilling site are set to commence in the upcoming months, with the drilling of the exploratory borehole anticipated to start in the second or third quarter of 2026.
Initially announced in 2023, the DeepStor research initiative is investigating the potential for storing surplus thermal energy during the summer for use in eco-friendly heating during winter. Depleted oil reservoirs are considered suitable for these “geothermal batteries.” The Karlsruhe region, along with the larger Upper Rhine Graben, contains several former oil formations, highlighting significant storage potential in the area.
Consequently, the DeepStor-1 well will be drilled at one of the identified storage sites near the former Leopoldshafen oil field within Campus North. The well will reach a depth of 1400 meters. A drill core will be obtained from part of the borehole, and information from logging and testing will be gathered. Analyzing and modeling this data will address critical questions regarding the subsurface's suitability for heat storage.
Additionally, a seismic monitoring network will be established, linked to a traffic-light response system. Given the sensitivity of the nearby research facilities, strict vibration limits have been set for the DeepStor project.