Shallow geothermal systems – Recommendations on design, construction, operation and monitoring / Неглубокие геотермальные системы – Рекомендации по проектированию, строительству, эксплуатации и мониторингу

The use of shallow geothermal energy has increased enormously over the past ten years. As the number of geothermal energy installations has risen, so has the number of technical developments in the field. There have been cases of damage in connection with the construction and operation of geothermal energy systems which have attracted much attention in the media. In particular, the cases of damage that have become public show that drilling to depths of several hundred metres is a technical activity that calls for responsible procedures in the sense of quality-assured design, construction and operation of the systems. Avoiding damage caused by shallow geothermal energy installations is a top priority for sustainable geothermal energy uses, especially when bodies of groundwater have to be protected against adverse effects. The recommendations in this book should be regarded as contributions to the quality-assured realisation of such systems. One of the aims of the Geothermal Energy Study Group at the specialist Hydrogeology Section of the German Geological Society (DGGV) and the Engineering Geology Section of both the German Geotechnical Society (DGGT) and the DGGV is to promote the widespread use of geothermal energy as an environment-friendly energy source while prioritising the protection of bodies of water. The authors as well as the DGGV and the DGGT have conceived these recommendations as advice and not as a set of technical regulations in the sense of a standard. Therefore, the recommendations of the Geothermal Energy Study Group include a number of textbook-like passages and much information on the legislation that affects approvals and permits. At the time of going to print, the preparation of a standard for shallow geothermal energy was not in sight; sucha standard is, however, still regarded as essential.  <...>