Geothermal to be key component of Vienna, Austria stadium renovation
The Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria (source: Daniel from Glasgow, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Carlo Cariaga
15 Feb 2024
Renovation work has begun on the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria, with geothermal energy from a borehole field a key component in the new design.
Sustainability will be one of the major goals of the EUR 100-million renovation of the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria. To make the sports facility emissions-neutral, energy will be supplied 12,000 photovoltaic modules and 270 geothermal boreholes.
Drilling and construction work has begun on what will eventually be one of the largest geothermal borehole systems in Vienna. Drilling will take place on the training grounds in front of the stadium, making it necessary to remove the floodlights and artificial turf prior to work. The renovation of the training fields is expected to be completed by the autumn of 2024, with the entire renovation to be completed by 2026.
The combined geothermal and photovoltaic system is expected to have an annual energy output of 4377 MWh. This is around 800 MWh more than the energy requirement of the stadium. Excess energy will be sent to the stadium swimming pool next door.
A detailed seismic study conducted by the GeoTief Wien project identified a potential geothermal reservoir at 3000 meters depth, as announced in 2022. Since then, there has been an earnest effort to develop the first geothermal heating plant in Vienna, with an initial output of 20 MW to be commissioned by 2026. In early 2023, Wien Energie and OMV formed a joint venture to develop the deep geothermal potential of the Vienna Basin.
Source: TGA
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