Eavor Technologies Inc. and Eavor Erdwärme Geretsried GmbH (together “Eavor”), the leader in globally scalable geothermal closed-loop technology, has been awarded a €91,6 million grant from the European Innovation Fund (“EIF”), in support of the Eavor-Europe™ geothermal project already under construction in Bavaria south of Munich near the town of Geretsried, Germany.

The project is the world’s first commercial implementation of an Eavor-Loop™, a showpiece of the zero-emissions heat and power production capabilities of next-generation geothermal technology, and a flagship site for the fundamental ability of Eavor-Loop™ to provide energy security and autonomy, globally.

Construction began in October 2022, with drilling scheduled to commence in July 2023. Two of Europe’s largest drilling rigs are already under a four-year contract with KCA-Deutag. An Organic Rankine Cycle (“ORC”) power plant is being designed and constructed simultaneously with drilling operations in collaboration with Turboden S.p.A., with the first energy production scheduled for Q4, 2024.

John Redfern, President, CEO and Co-Founder at Eavor Technologies Inc., stated: 
“I’d like to thank the European Commission. We at Eavor are humbled to be included in the EIF program alongside so many prestigious European multinationals. We believe this first commercial Eavor-Loop™ will open the floodgates to the broad implementation of what is the first truly scalable form of green baseload energy. In this way, we hope to help Europe solve its twin existential threats of Climate Change and lack of Energy Autonomy”.

The project will result in 8,2 MWe and ~44.000 tCO2e GHG emissions avoided per year including anticipated heat offtake and power sales. Eavor estimates that ~20.000 homes will be powered with clean energy harnessed from the Earth and up to 600 person-years of drilling services and powerplant/infrastructure jobs will be created during the construction phase of the project.

Philippe Dumas, Secretary General at the European Geothermal Energy Council, stated: 
“I’m glad to see the EC Innovation Fund supporting the geothermal project submitted by Eavor GmbH to commercially demonstrate innovative renewable district heating and power supply in Geretsried, Germany. Given the energy, climate and food security crisis as well as the need to meet the tripling of the geothermal target by 2030, this innovative project is of paramount importance: it will increase the security of electricity supply, help decarbonise the district heating sector, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate technological innovation all of which could also be replicated elsewhere.”

Daniel Mölk, President at Eavor GmbH, stated: 
“Eavor would like to thank regional stakeholders, the Bavarian/German Governments, the community, and operational partners generally. Eavor, and its project partners, Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. and Enex Power Germany GmbH, are honoured to be so welcomed and supported by all.”

Project Summary

The Eavor-Loop™ at Geretsried, Germany will provide clean baseload energy for district heating and/or power generation. It consists of multiple large underground radiators buried at 4,500 metres. Operating under a natural thermosiphon requiring no pump and no aquifer, clean fresh water will circulate through the radiator carrying the heat to surface.

With practically no greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during operation, Eavor Loop will avoid almost 100% of the emissions compared to the reference scenario. Eavor Loop is also an environmentally friendly solution: it can be installed virtually anywhere providing the EU with a scalable, secure source of renewable heat and power. An on-site visitor centre will be built and open to the public interested to know more about the technology and the operations of this first-of-kind implementation.

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