Vestforbrænding and Innargi are bringing geothermal energy to Greater Copenhagen

Vestforbrænding is well under way with an extensive plan for 39,000 district heating customers in Ballerup, Herlev, Gladsaxe, Lyngby-Taarbæk, Furesø, Frederikssund and Egedal – all municipalities in Greater Copenhagen – to change from oil and gas sourced heating to district heating.

The plan will nearly double Vestforbrænding’s heating supply and will make the network one of the largest in Denmark. Geothermal energy is one of the new heat sources that Vestforbrænding is incorporating into the future of district heating, and it will increase heating supply security. Other new heat sources are e.g. waste heat from companies and carbon capture.

Heating for 10,000 households

The facility will have a capacity of 26 MW, which corresponds to the usage for 10,000 households.

The plan is to establish the facility in the Lyngby-Taarbæk municipality, however the precise location has not yet been decided on. Vestforbrænding and Innargi are in dialogue with the municipality, but no permits have been granted or a specific location has been secured. Seismic surveys of the subsurface are currently being conducted, which will help to find the most suitable locations. Following this, the possible location will be reviewed and approved by the municipality. Since 2015, Vestforbrænding has continuously expanded the district heating network in Lyngby-Taarbæk. By 2028, 3,500 new customers will be connected in the municipality.

Unlocking future projects

For Innargi, the agreement means the start of geothermal energy production from the geological reservoir that lies beneath most of Greater Copenhagen.

About geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is the heat energy that comes from the earth’s interior. There are many places in Denmark’s subsurface, about one to three kilometres deep, where 30 to 80 degree Celsius warm geothermal water can be found, which can be pumped to the surface via deep drilling. The heat from this water is then transferred to the water in the district heating network in a closed loop. Once the heat has been transferred, the geothermal water is pumped back into the underground.

The potential for geothermal energy to be used for district heating in Denmark is very large, but its realisation is, among other things, dependent on local conditions in the subsurface (sufficient flow and temperature). In addition, it is a legal requirement that geothermal energy is competitive with the alternatives that the district heating companies have at their disposal.

Geothermal energy is climate friendly. When the pumps in the geothermal facility are powered by renewable solar or wind energy, geothermal energy is not only CO2-neutral, but releases no other harmful particles. The geothermal heat source is also always available, also when neither the sun is shining nor the wind is blowing.

About the partners

Vestforbrænding is Denmark’s largest waste company, which serves about one million citizens in Greater Copenhagen and North Zealand. The company is owned by 19 municipalities in Zealand, to which Vestforbrænding offers solutions in collection and treatment of waste, and the delivery of district heating and electricity.

Innargi finances, develops, builds and operates large geothermal heat facilities for district heating companies. The company was founded by A.P. Møller Holding A/S and is owned by A.P. Møller Holding, ATP, and NRGi.