GeoLaB – Geothermal Research Laboratory: The Exploration Phase

Author

Judith Bremer, Regina Schwald, Katharina Schätzler

Involved person

Fiorenza Deon, Corinna Harmening, Chaline Peichert, Nicolas Neuwirth, Nadine Haaf, J. C. Grimmer, Thomas Kohl, Ingo Sass, Olaf Kolditz

Interviewee

Bastian Rudolph, Said Kamrani

Participating institute

Institut für Angewandte Geowissenschaften (AGW)
Institut für Nukleare Entsorgung (INE)
Geodätisches Institut (GIK)
Institut für Massivbau und Baustofftechnologie (IMB)

Genre

Imagefilm

Description

GeoLaB is a planned underground laboratory in crystalline rock dedicated to the study of deep geothermal energy. As a joint infrastructure of the Helmholtz research areas “Energy” and “Earth and Environment,” it brings together interdisciplinary expertise. The goal is to develop safe technologies for the sustainable use of geothermal energy.

The Helmholtz research project GeoLaB aims to establish a one-of-a-kind underground laboratory in Germany for investigating deep geothermal energy in crystalline rock. Its research focuses on the systematic study of the hydraulic, mechanical, geochemical, and thermal processes in deep, fractured geothermal reservoirs. Based on this research—conducted in collaboration with complementary international initiatives—GeoLaB seeks to enable the development of safe technologies for the sustainable use of deep geothermal heat.
During the years 2024–2025, the project is in its exploration phase. In this period, the GeoLaB team is investigating the Tromm region in the Odenwald area of Hesse, Germany. Using two exploratory boreholes along with geophysical and geological surveys, the scientific suitability of the site is being evaluated.
This film presents the GeoLaB project and its central objectives. It offers insight into the activities of the exploration phase, during which two boreholes were drilled and geophysical and geological investigations are carried out to characterize the site.
GeoLaB is a joint project of the Helmholtz Centers KIT, GFZ, and UFZ, in collaboration with TU Darmstadt and BGE, coordinated by KIT.

Duration (hh:mm:ss)

00:05:57

Published on

15.10.2025

Subject area

Energy engineering

License

KITopen Licence