Integrative Geothermal Resource Assessment

The development of geothermal energy utilization for electricity production has suffered strong drawbacks with the recent events of induced seismicity occurred at the site of Basel (Switzerland) and Landau (Germany). Typically, the population only got aware of the local geothermal activities when being affected by vibrations and noise originating from the shallow underground. Subsequently, the mass media, authorities expressed their discomfort with the technology applied. In Baden Württemberg, having one of the most important geothermal resources in Germany, the geothermal development has nearly stopped today. Public campaigns, citizens' initiatives, and the lack of knowledge within the administrative body lead to missing acceptance. These social conditions lead to a further weakening of a geothermal technology that already had to digest some failures in the recent years.