Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEGThe ongoing energy and climate crisis highlights the need for further alternatives to conventional energy sources in order to ensure independent, national security of electricity and, above all, heat. At the same time, climate change and resource scarcity are increasing the pressure to find alternatives. Geothermal energy represents a powerful, environmentally and climate-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, offering enormous potential. It is an essential component in the implementation of the energy and heating transition.
For the long-term use of geothermal energy, reliable and economical pump systems are required to transport the thermal water from the depths to the surface. In geothermal energy, two different pump technologies currently available on the market are being pursued and used:
- Line shaft pumps (LSP)
- Electrical submersible pumps (ESP)
ESP pump systems originate mainly from the oil and gas industry, while LSP technology comes more from agriculture and water management. Both pump systems are now highly developed. However, both systems have inherent shortcomings under (deep) geothermal conditions, which, among other things, jeopardize their economic use and, in some cases, the security of supply. The state of development of current pump systems is therefore the Achilles' heel of a geothermal plant.
