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Tunnel heat
Detailed information

Geothermal potential of Swiss tunnels

The Federal Office for energy already accomplished 1995 an investigation over the geothermal potential of tunnels and lugs in Switzerland. From the 600 examined buildings, 130 were selected in a first step. In a second phase from the 15 most interesting tunnels, 4 were selected on the basis of several criteria for a detailed study.

In the table below, the characteristic data and the geothermal potential of these 15 tunnels are represented. The usable total potential is about 30 ' 000 KW. It is to be considered that the two AlpTransit Basistunnel (Lötschberg and Gottard) will supply a substantially higher potential due to their length and their covers. The investigations for the energetic usefulness of these two tunnels are still running.

 

Geothermal potential of a selection
of 15 railway and road tunnels as well as investigation lugs

Tunnel	Canton	type of Tunnel	Discharge (l/min)	Water- temperature (° C)	Warmth- achievement 2 (kW)
Ascona	TI	Road	360	12	150
Furka 1	VS	Railway	5'400	16	3'758
Frutigen	BE	Investigation lug	800	17	612
Gotthard 1	TI	Road (N2)	7'200	15	4'510
Grenchenberg (Südportal)	SO	Railway	18'000	10	11'693
Hauenstein 1 (Basistunnel)	SO	Railway	2'500	19	2'262
Isla Bella	GR	Road	800	15	501
Lötschberg	VS	Railway	731	12	305
Mappo-Morettina 1	TI	Road	983	16	684
Mauvoisin	VS	Pilot lug of Riddes	600	20	584
Polmengo	TI	Investigation lug	600	20	584
Rawyl	VS	Investigation lug	1'200	24	1'503
Ricken 1	SG	Railway	1'200	12	501
Simplon (Portal Brig)	VS	Railway	1'380	13	672
Vereina	GR	Eisenbahn	2'100	17	1'608
Total (kW)					29'927

¹ existing geothermal heating systems
² achievement calculated at the tunnel portal, without heat pump, with a cooling to 6° C.

With the water of the Furkatunnel heated houses
in Oberwald, Valais (photo J. Wilhelm)