On June 18th a REFLECT team of microbiologists and geochemists from the University of Neuchâtel (UniNe), Hydroisotop (HI) and Helmholtz-Centre Postdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) visited the geothermal site in Insheim (Germany). The power plant, beautifully located between vineyards in the Rhine Valley produces water with 80 l/s of 165 °C from 3800 m depth. The heat is used for electricity production (4.8 MW).
REFLECT aims to fully understand fluid reactions considering physical, chemical, and microbial properties. Samples were taken for analysis of organic (GFZ) and inorganic composition (HI), as well as for microbial analysis (UniNe) before and after the heat exchanger. Scales from filters residues were analysed by a mobile X-ray fluorescent spectrometer. Additionally, an experiment was performed to investigate the kinetics of potential silica precipitation at various temperature and pressures.
All the data collected during the project life will be implemented in a European geothermal fluid atlas and in predictive models allowing to provide recommendations on how to best operate geothermal systems for sustainable use.