Geoenergy
Heat from the subsurface has the potential to contribute to the heating and electricity supplies in Switzerland. As the independent federal competence centre for subsurface utilisation, the Swiss Geological Survey uses its geodata to promote the use of geothermal energy in Switzerland and supports the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) in promoting deep geothermal energy projects.
Fossil energy resources
Today, around 75 % of Switzerland’s total energy requirement is met through the import of energy sources, including fossil fuels from underground. This includes uranium for the country’s nuclear power plants, as well as the range of fossil organic compounds: coal, oil and gas. These raw materials have been identified in Switzerland, but their use is currently unprofitable because the quantities are insufficient or the reserves are difficult to access.
Geothermal resources
In accordance with Switzerland’s new energy policy, Energy Strategy 2050, heat from beneath the ground is to be utilised to a greater extent in the future. While shallow geothermal energy (geothermal probes for heating and cooling via heat pumps) is established and the technology is ready for the market, the potential of deep geothermal energy (direct heat utilisation as well as electricity production) is at the moment barely being exploited.
The heat and geology in the deep underground cannot be discerned from the surface, which is why complex geophysical exploration campaigns have to be carried out. These campaigns also provide valuable information about Switzerland's subsurface for other georesources and make it possible to reduce the risks for future projects.
After geophysical exploration, the subsurface must be drilled several kilometres deep, the prevailing temperatures measured and the permeability of the encountered rocks and structures tested. When all the pieces fit together, the heat can be used either for heating or for electricity production.
The role of the Swiss Geological Survey
The Swiss Geological Survey supports, on the one hand, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) in assessing funding applications and, on the other hand, the project participants in using their existing data and models for exploration campaigns. If project participants receive funding from the SFOE, they are obliged to submit the exploration data to the federal government (swisstopo), so that they can be published and integrated into swisstopo's national geological models. In this context, the Swiss Geological Survey works with the cantons and other partners. These data are also used in contributing to a national exploration strategy for geothermal energy and other utilisation of the Swiss subsurface.