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Geoenergy research

Research on environmental and geoenergy technologies conducted by the Czech Geological Survey (CGS) is driven by the need to respond to today’s new local and global challenges. Interconnected topics, such as climate change, energy security and transition to a low-carbon economy, provide new perspectives and impetus for research on and use of the geological environment.

This area of research has a strong interdisciplinary character, combining knowledge and experience from various geological disciplines, including general and structural geology, hydrogeology, geophysics, geotechnics, geochemistry, reservoir engineering as well as the use of information technology and some social science disciplines.

The main directions of environmental and geoenergy research of the CGS include:

Geothermal energy research

The CGS is actively involved in research projects focused on geothermal energy use and on the possibility of storing exogenous thermal energy in the rock environment with respect to the conditions in the Czech Republic. The results of this work involve shallow as well as deep geothermal energy sources and are crucial for planning and expanding the use of the Czech Republic‘s geothermal potential. The CGS provides maps of the Czech Republic‘s geothermal potential and also maps indicating the limitations of its use.

Geothermal Potential (Czech only)

The map application shows the Czech Republic‘s geothermal potential and its limitations. Map layers indicating the temperature distribution (°C) at various depths ranging from 400 m to 5000 m, a map of heat flux distribution (mW.m-2) at the surface, and a map of the thermal conductivity of rocks (W. m-1. K-1) illustrate the geothermal potential. The application also includes thematic layers depicting limitations and conflicts of interest, which are constraints on the use of geothermal energy due to natural hazards (e.g. floodplains, areas with unstable bedrock and prone to landslides), technical constraints on the construction of geothermal installations (existing infrastructure, mining, etc.), and legislative restrictions (protection of nature and water, etc.). Maps of the geothermal potential were compiled based on geothermal measurements in 362 deep boreholes in the Czech Republic and adjacent areas, on knowledge of the depth and spatial extent of sedimentary basins, and on the territory‘s geological structure. Due to the uneven distribution of boreholes in the territory, the geothermal maps are more accurate near boreholes, with geological uncertainty increasing with distance. Therefore, the map also depicts a layer of boreholes that were used to create the geothermal maps.

Geological storage

This area of research focuses on the potential of using the rock environment as a storage medium for various forms of energy (hydrogen, natural gas) that can help balance energy grids, reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, and improve overall energy efficiency. Another major theme of this research involves the permanent storage of carbon dioxide using CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technology, which the CGS has spearheaded through its research on the storage of carbon dioxide in suitable geological structures aiming to reduce the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

CO2-SPICER (project)

Website of the project "CO2-SPICER - CO2 Storage Pilot in a Carbonate Reservoir" (2021 -2024). If the overall objective is successfully achieved, it will be the first CO2 storage pilot project in Central and Eastern Europe. In addition, the CO2-SPICER project will significantly increase the technological readiness level of CO2 geological storage in the Czech Republic and, at the same time, represent a significant step towards the deployment of the CCS technology in Central Europe.

Potentially suitable areas for CO₂ storage in the Czech Republic.

Use of subsurface voids created by mining

The long-term research objective is to conduct analyses aimed at optimizing the use of the potential of subsurface voids created by historical and recent mining activities. These studies include research on the potential use of mine sites or mine waters and on how to utilize them as effectively as possible, thus contributing to environmentally and economically sustainable development.