GEOTHERMAL Energy

Preliminary investigations, studies, planning and measurements for geothermal projects in Switzerland

I provide expert support for environmental protection agencies, engineers, drilling companies and private clients in all types of geothermal projects.

My speciality is thermal laboratory measurements on rocks  and temperature logging in open boreholes and borehole heat exchangers.

Together with Geowatt AG, I developed and patented the wireless temperature measurement  probe NIMO-T.

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Borehole heat exchangers

  • Dimensioning of borehole heat exchanger fields with professional software
  • Geological and hydrogeological monitoring
  • Monitoring of artesian outflow in borehole heat exchangers

Heat from groundwater

  • Planning of groundwater wells for heat/cold extraction
  • Simulation of groundwater flow with 2-D software
  • Thermal-hydraulic modelling of the propagation of heat and cold in aquifers
  • Monitoring and evaluation of pumping tests
  • Sizing of seepage systems

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Field measurements

  • Wireless temperature measurement with probe Nimo-T
    This measuring probe was developed in collaboration with Geowatt AG and is patented throughout Europe. This measuring technique allows measurements in water-filled geothermal probes that have not yet been connected to the heat pump. Undisturbed soil temperatures can be measured at depths of up to 400 meters.
  • Temperature measurements in open boreholes

Thermal laboratory measurements (thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, density and porosity)

The thermal conductivity meter Tk04 is used to measure the thermal conductivity of solid rock samples and drill cuttings. The meter works with line sources using the transient method. Thermal conductivity measurements, together with the specific heat capacity and the rock density or porosity, are required for the design of geothermal systems and play an important role in calculating the thermal insulation of buildings.

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The specific heat capacity is measured using a calorimeter developed by Dr U. Schärli at the ETH Zurich. The measuring device is suitable for measuring drill cuttings.

Depending on the objective of the investigation, the density and porosity of rock samples are relevant parameters for the thermal parameters. They can be determined in the laboratory.