Seismic surveys will assess the potential of geothermal energy for heating in Łódź

Deep underground, there is hot water that can be extracted to the surface for use in the city’s heating system. This energy source is called geothermal energy, and existing data indicates that its potential in Łódź is significant. To verify this, Innargi, a company specialising in the development of geothermal projects, will conduct seismic surveys in Łódź along a route of approximately 160 kilometres. They will begin on 11 August. 

The seismic surveys are a continuation of the strategic partnership announced last October between Veolia, Innargi and the City of Łódź. 

What do the seismic surveys look like? 

The research will be conducted by specialised vehicles the size of garbage trucks. They will travel along four planned routes and send short vibrations into the ground at successive measurement points. These will be received by geophones – special devices that will be placed along the routes in advance. The geophones will record signals that will be used to create a geological map of the earth’s interior. 

Seismic surveys are completely safe for residents and the environment. The frequency of the short-term vibrations is too low to have any impact on buildings. The survey will be closely monitored by a team of specialists at all times.   

People living near the routes in question will be able to hear the vehicles and feel short-term vibrations for a maximum of 20 seconds. After approximately 10-20 minutes, the vehicles will move on to the next measurement point. Measurements will be taken between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. to minimise disruption to traffic. 

On behalf of Innargi, the seismic surveys will be carried out by an experienced Polish company, Geofizyka Toruń. The surveys will take approximately 4 weeks. Innargi geologists will then analyse the data and develop detailed geological maps that will be used for further work. 

Local, stable heat for thousands of households 

Geothermal energy is not new in Poland – the first plant using geothermal energy for heating residents was launched in Podhale in 1992. The project in Łódź is part of Veolia’s long-term strategy to decarbonise the city’s heating system, including through the development of renewable energy sources. Geothermal energy is a potential source of local, stable and environmentally friendly heat. The parties involved in the project estimate that geothermal energy could provide up to 200 MW of heat per year, which would account for approximately 15% of the heat capacity currently available in the Łódź district heating system. 

However, the successful results of the geothermal potential analysis do not necessarily mean that the project will be implemented. This will depend on many factors, including the need to meet all legal and procedural requirements for this type of investment.