Play-Based Exploration and Development Plan for Geothermal Energy in the Netherlands

Summary The presented ‘Play-based Exploration and Development Plan for Geothermal Energy in the Netherlands’ provides an up-to-date overview of how and where geothermal heat can be developed in a safe, responsible, sustainable and cost effective way. To reach this goal, a play-based portfolio approach was adopted, allowing to extract best value from available information and to guide further exploration steps. Using current knowledge, Common Risk Segment (CRS) maps of the six main aquifers of the Dutch subsurface were generated. However, since the deployment of geothermal heat is not only influenced by subsurface geology, but also by local heat demand and presence of heat networks, CRS maps were integrated with this type of surface data. As a result, the presented Exploration and Development Plan brings together in one map subsurface knowledge, heat networks and heat demand, opening a new world for understanding, steering, planning and budgeting for long term geothermal development. This makes the study a valuable source of information not only for geoscientists, but for also for regional governments, civil society organizations and commercial operators that have to make choices between the development of geothermal heat or applying other renewable sources.