When Eavor's Eavor-Loop started delivering 8.2MW of power to the German grid from its facility at Geretsried at the start of this year, the Canada-based company's technology marked the first electrons generated from closed-loop multilateral wells. It was a major milestone for the company and for geothermal power, generating new investment interest as the technology looks to scale up.

Certainly, with Geretsried on-stream, it has delivered confidence to the market that the closed-loop geothermal system could be an alternative solution for commercial geothermal applications.

The milestone proved that 24/7, clean heat and power are possible through the technology and, importantly, across a wide range of geologies. It does not require future redrilling, water sourcing or treatment, resulting in minimal maintenance and operating costs compared to other geothermal technologies over project lifetimes.

"The technological and commercial success at Geretsried validates the project as a blueprint for wider European and global rollout as regions seek stable, locally derived carbon-free energy sources with minimal land and water usage," says Fabricio Cesário, Head of Project Delivery and Operations, Eavor. "We are especially grateful to our project partners for their confidence and early investment which were instrumental in pushing the first of a kind learning phase and advancing the project maturation."

It is believed Geretsried will lead to Eavor develop the game-changing technology to shape the future of clean energy.  Indeed, building on the insights gained from Geretsried, the company has already committed to growing market = in the region and, indeed, elsewhere.

Future investment

Investment funds are also interested in the company developing the technology.  

Yannick Beaudoin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Growth Fund Investment Management Inc. (CGFIM), for instance, believes Eavor's achievement at Geretsried "represents a landmark moment for Canadian clean technology innovation and leadership" and has indicated support as it advances toward broader commercial deployment.

Nicola Beer, European Investment Bank Vice President, is another to see wider market potential.

"In Geretsried, we see more than a technological first," she says. "This is a European success story in action. The first commercial Eavor-Loop plant shows that geothermal energy can be scaled up to deliver affordable, clean and reliable heat and power to households and businesses – day and night, in every season. It cuts emissions and strengthens energy security."

She furthered that support from its InvestEU-guaranteed loan of nearly €45 million, the EU Innovation Fund grant and leading European and global banks, "turns cutting-edge geothermal technology into reality".

"It accelerates the clean energy innovation Europe needs to stay competitive and reach climate neutrality," she says.

Project partner OMV, which contributed operational know-how with its experts working closely with Eavor to deliver the project, says insights gained to date will strengthen OMV's geothermal energy expertise.

Berislav Gaso, OMV Executive Vice President Energy believe the world's first commercial Eavor Loop facility proves closed loop technology and opens new opportunities for sustainable energy supply. "For us, this is a vital part of the energy mix – harnessing Earth's heat to deliver clean energy, cut emissions, and support cities in achieving their climate targets.

The Eavor-Loop at Geretsried involved drilling two vertical wells and side-tracking six horizontal wells from each (a total of 12 lateral wells). The laterals were connected toe-to-toe underground with the help of Eavor's active magnetic ranging tool (AMR), creating six pairs to form a massive subsurface radiator.

 The thermosiphon effect

Results so far show the potential of the thermosiphon effect which allows the Eavor-Loop to operate without a pump to circulate the internal fluid. Thermosiphon occurs due to colder fluid temperature on the inlet well than on the outlet side (which rises), causing the water to circulate on its own in the closed-loop system.

This was established within a start-up time of under 30 minutes, using a compact pump with a capacity of just 3kg/s. After the first start-up, the pump was turned off and no longer required for operation.

In a LinkedIn post, the company writes: "Geretsried provides confidence for Eavor-Loop™ to scale globally as a source of reliable, flexible, carbon-free energy. The advancements and lessons learned at Geretsried are translating into a competitive Levelized Cost of Heat (LCOH) along with a significant increase in energy output potential for future projects."

According to the Calgary headquartered company, the technology resulted in a 50% reduction in drilling time and a path to 35% more energy output that conventional methods. Other key insights include important lessons relating to from side-tracking and intra-lateral hydraulic communication challenges that are now informing next-generation drilling strategies. The deployment of enabling technologies like Insulated Drill Pipe (IDP), Active Magnetic Ranging (AMR), and Eavor's Rock-Pipe™ sealant, also reduced cost, improved precision, and extended reach in high-temperature environments..