The subground in the Netherlands contains water retaining levels. The temperature of this water increases as the water becomes deeper. By drilling into these levels, this warm water can be brought to the surface and its heat extracted and converted into energy.
Market gardeners in the Westland region also have an interest in the use of geothermal energy that is stored in aqueous layers at a depth of 1600 metres. The first project has since been realised in Bleiswijk.
Warm mining water in the deep coal mines is increasingly being seen as a source of sustainable energy. This has led to the town of Heerlen performing a trial using heat from water in disused tunnels of the Oranje Nassau mines to fuel the town's heating systems. Water from these mines comes from a depth of 700 metres and has a temperature of almost 30 degrees. Producing energy from this water does not cost any more than traditional energy, yet produces 55 percent less CO2 emission. SSM has provided the municipality of Heerlen with information about the location of the tunnels in the mines, and has monitored the drilling processes.
