Geretsried, Germany – once thwarted by traditional geothermal limitations – now hosts a radical energy experiment that could redefine renewables. Eavor, a Canadian clean energy firm, has launched its first commercial plant here using oil industry techniques to drill nearly 2.5 miles into dry rock. This isn't your grandparents' geothermal, says CEO John Redfern.
Fifteen years after failed attempts to harness shallow hot water, Eavor's closed-loop Eavor-Loop system pumps water through 4-kilometer-deep wells to capture Earth's heat naturally. The IEA calls this geothermal energy innovation a potential game-changer:
Geothermal can soon accelerate its global impact after decades as a niche resource,asserts Executive Director Fatih Birol.
Why Geretsried matters:
- Proves tech works in ordinary geology (not just volcanic zones like Iceland)
- Generates electricity and heats 36,000+ homes via district systems
- Eliminates fracking – water flows through pre-existing rock fractures
With Germany phasing out Russian gas and coal, Mayor Michael Müller sees urgency:
We can't kick the can on clean energy. Climate action starts today.Eavor already plans expansions in Hanover and holds licensing deals with Japan's Chubu Electric Power.
The project aligns with global district heating trends:
- 67M Europeans use centralized systems
- US campuses/hospitals adopting geothermal
- China/Russia still reliant on fossil-fueled networks
While scaling remains challenging, Eavor’s $1.1B valuation signals investor confidence. As Redfern puts it: If we succeed here, geothermal becomes viable anywhere – deserts, cities, you name it. For climate scientists and policymakers alike, all eyes are on this Bavarian town of 26,000.
