Last month, the official inauguration of the “GeoStar 2.0”, located between buildings C and B on the campus of the University of Bochum in Germany, took place. This system allows visitors to observe the operation of the geothermal supply that regulates the temperature of the university’s state-of-the-art lecture hall.
Although it appears from the outside as an elegant area with a Plexiglas dome, the system is actually buried in the ground. The structure, which is a walkable circular room, houses the 12 geothermal probes that adjust the classroom temperature according to external weather conditions.
Purpose of GeoStar 2.0
At the inauguration event, Vice President Prof. Dr. Jörg Frochte stressed the importance of the GeoStar 2.0 in providing a tangible view of a process that would otherwise remain hidden. The plexiglass dome is removable and provides access via a spiral staircase to the cylindrical distribution shaft, where the 12 probes, each 120 meters long, are located.
Jonas Güldenhaupt, expert driller from Fraunhofer IEG (formerly GZB), narrated the evolution of this project during the ceremony. The idea of making the probes visible with a glass dome originated during the installation work of the geothermal heating system of the center. However, the first GeoStar did not allow observing the stellar arrangement of the probes. This feature was incorporated into the new geothermal system system in the conference room.
Collaboration and acknowledgments
The key component of the GeoStar 2.0, a large plastic cylinder valued at approximately 30,000 euros, was donated by the Troisdorf-based companies Kubatec Kunststoffbautechnik GmbH and WiRoTec HENZE GmbH. These companies, which contributed crucial elements such as connections and coatings, were also present at the inauguration. The university took the opportunity to express its thanks.
Although the distribution well was installed in 2018, the completion of the project with a proper presentation has taken years. Prof. Dr. Michael Rath, Department of Building Energy Technology, expressed his satisfaction with the completion of this sustainable technology demonstration. Soon, visitors will be able to explore the GeoStar 2.0 via an augmented reality app.
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Source and photo: hochschule-bochum.de
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