Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.3390/su14010496
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) How far is far enough? The social constitution of geothermal energy through spacing regulations
Author Horn, D.; Gross, M.; Pfeiffer, M.; Sonnberger, M.
Source Titel Sustainability
Year 2022
Department SUSOZ
Volume 14
Issue 1
Page From art. 496
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords energy transitions; geothermal heat; geology; sociotechnical systems; cold plumes; unintended side effects; STS
Abstract This article argues that the sociotechnical context in which near-surface geothermal energy is embedded draws out its characteristic of being temporarily depletable. Thereby, the minimization of unavoidable side effects, such as cold plumes, which result from the social constitution of geothermal energy, is a crucial area of consideration. Using the situation in Germany as a touchstone, we discuss how cold plumes and interferences from neighboring ground source heat pumps test the limits of the existing regulatory framework, requiring negotiations between different knowledge sets stemming from areas as diverse as planning law, geology, cultural habits, and engineering. This makes the operation of geothermal energy highly uncertain and continuous negotiations on sustainable modes of extractions a pressing issue.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=25542
Horn, D., Gross, M., Pfeiffer, M., Sonnberger, M. (2022):
How far is far enough? The social constitution of geothermal energy through spacing regulations
Sustainability 14 (1), art. 496 10.3390/su14010496