- Seismic surveys will occur from late February to early March on 75 km of roadway in Germany.
- The project includes potential construction of a commercial Lithium Extraction Plant in Ludwigshafen.
- The development aims to provide renewable heat and sustainable lithium production.
- Future phases will replicate the model to aid European industry decarbonization.
Project Overview
Vulcan Energy has received approvals to begin seismic surveys for a geothermal heat project in the Ludwigshafen region of Germany. This initiative is in partnership with BASF SE, aiming to supply BASF’s Verbund site with baseload heat. The agreement also considers constructing a commercial Lithium Extraction Plant in Ludwigshafen, home to the largest integrated chemical complex globally.
Seismic Survey Details
The first stage involves two-dimensional seismic surveys from late February to early March, covering approximately 75 kilometers of roadway in the Vorderpfalz region. This area includes towns such as Bad Dürkheim, Deidesheim, Mutterstadt, Frankenthal, and Ludwigshafen. The survey results will guide the next development stage, including three-dimensional surveys to plan geothermal and lithium production wells.
Development Goals
The project aims to utilize geothermal energy from the Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field to provide renewable heat for BASF’s main plant. Additionally, it seeks to offer sustainable district heating for Ludwigshafen and Frankenthal, using extracted heated brine for lithium production. The development model is intended for replication across the region to support European industry decarbonization and public heating sector transformation.
Strategic Importance
This project is a significant transformation effort for BASF’s site, potentially covering a substantial portion of future energy needs without fossil fuels. It aligns with broader goals of advancing green electromobility and sustainable energy supply through strategic partnerships with large industrial companies.
