Munich is almost predestined for the installation of a groundwater heat pump. While the use is not possible in many parts of Germany, excellent conditions prevail in the Bavarian state capital. The groundwater level in the Munich city area is usually between 5 and 17 m, in the surrounding area it can often even be as low as 3 m. Furthermore, there are no water protection areas in Munich that would prevent the installation of groundwater heat pumps in Munich. Munich's drinking water comes from the Alps, so with regard to these aspects, nothing stands in the way of using groundwater for a heat pump in Munich.
Since there are a large number of apartment buildings in Munich, this question is entirely justified. Groundwater is an excellent heat store and has constant temperatures of around 8 to 12 degrees throughout the year. Groundwater heat pumps offer a high level of efficiency and work very efficiently, making them equally suitable for single and multi-family houses. Please also read our detailed blog post "Heat pump in apartment buildings" on this topic.
The comparatively small space required is a decisive advantage, the fountains can be installed in the inner courtyard, for example. However, it must be ensured that the suction well is in front of the injection well in the direction of flow of the groundwater and that there is a distance of at least 15 m between the two wells.
If you choose a groundwater heat pump, you benefit from decisive advantages:
There are also a few downsides to consider:
Although the costs for the installation are comparatively high, the groundwater heat pump also offers a high degree of effectiveness and excellent efficiency.
Before you can start drilling, you must first apply for a permit under water law, since the extraction of groundwater for the heat pump in Munich and throughout Bavaria requires a permit in accordance with Section 9 Paragraph 1 No. 5 WHG. The application must be submitted to the responsible district office. According to § 49 WHG, Art. 30 BayWG, drilling for a groundwater heat pump is generally subject to notification. You must submit the notification at least one month before the start of the drilling work.
Yes, the GRETA project, led by the Technical University of Munich, provides a map that shows the potential use of near-surface geothermal energy:
Yes, with the Bavarian Energy Atlas you have a great tool at your disposal. With just a few clicks you will receive a for your location Location information on the potential of a groundwater heat pump in Munich, including the following information, for example:
You will also get detailed insights into general and hydrogeological site conditions. First you have to zoom in, then select the technique and click on your location. The PDF document is then generated automatically.
The decisive difference to other heat pump types is the well system consisting of a suction well and an injection well. This requires drilling at depths of around 5 to 20 m, the actual drilling depth depends on the respective groundwater level.
The water is pumped into the system via the suction well. There, the thermal energy is extracted by using a refrigerant, and then the water returns to the ground via the injection well. Since the basic temperature of 10 degrees on average is not sufficient to heat a house, a compressor ensures higher pressure and the temperature rises as a result. Once the desired temperature level has been reached, the heat generated is transferred to the heating system via a heat exchanger.
