Key step for the use of geothermal energy in the heating system of Poznań

Existing data indicate that the potential for geothermal energy in Poznań is significant. To definitively verify the analysis and proceed with design work, Innargi, a company specializing in developing geothermal projects, will conduct seismic surveys in Poznań, which will begin on March 11 and last up to 14 days. Special trucks will cover three routes with a total length of 60 kilometers.  

Seismic surveys have been carried out in Poznań in the past and have covered the northern part of the city. The work planned by Innargi will complete the geological map of the regional capital and focus on the central and southern areas of the city to get a full picture of the subsurface. 

The project to use geothermal energy for district heating is made possible by a strategic partnership between Innargi and Veolia Energia Poznań, announced in 2023, under the auspices of the City of Poznań. At the time, the companies decided to jointly evaluate the potential of using geothermal energy as a source of heat for the district heating network. 

How do seismic surveys work? 

The surveys will be conducted using specialized trucks the size of garbage trucks, which will travel along carefully planned routes. The trucks will send brief vibrations deep into the ground as they pass. These will then be reflected by the layers beneath the ground. All this will be recorded by so-called geophones. These are small measuring devices the size and color of a lemon. They will be placed in the ground along the routes of the surveys being conducted. The data collected is then used to create a geological map of the subsurface.   

Seismic surveys are completely safe for both residents and the environment. The frequency of short-term vibrations is low and does not affect buildings. The surveys will be supervised and closely always monitored by a team of professionals.   

People living near the planned routes will be able to hear the vehicles and feel brief vibrations lasting a maximum of 20 seconds. After about 10-20 minutes, the convoy will pass, and everything will return to normal.  

The vehicles will travel between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. to minimize disruption to traffic. The trucks will be branded with the Innarga logo, and seismic surveys will be conducted by a Polish experienced subcontractor: Geofizyka Toruń.

Local, stable heat for households 

The use of geothermal energy for heating is not new in Poland, and the first plant of this type was put into operation in Podhale as early as 1992. The Poznań project will be the first in Poland on this scale to use geothermal energy to produce heat to supply the city’s district heating system. Veolia Energia Poznań estimates that the heat obtained from the geothermal plants could provide up to 20% of the city’s district heating system needs. Current plans call for geothermal energy to feed the grid in 2029.  

The City of Poznań, Innargi and Veolia Energia Poznań will jointly determine how geothermal installations will fit into the urban fabric and district heating network of the Greater Poznań capital. Several factors are being taken into account, such as geological conditions, zoning plans and the existing district heating network, which will influence the final decision on the deployment of the installations in the Poznań area.

Innargi and the City of Poznań, together with Veolia Energia Poznań, are reviewing potential locations for three geothermal installations in the areas of Starołęka, Franowo and Kopanina, respectively.