Legal framework for the approval of geothermal systems

1. Legal framework for the approval of geothermal systems Leonhard Thien, EnergyAgency.NRW / North Rhine-Westphalia Manager Geothermal Energy Network AHK Geschäftsreise, den Haag, 25.04.2013 www.renewables-made-in-germany.com www.exportinitiative.bmwi.de

2. AGENDA • EnergyAgency.NRW • Legal Framework • Mining Law licensing (near-surface geothermal energy) • Mining Law licensing (deep geothermal energy)

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5. The Geothermal Energy Network NRW The Networks objectives are as follows: • development and publications an expansion strategy for Geothermal • exchange of information in order to continue the Development of joint ideas • Initiation of projects • Development of components in the geothermal energy sector • Opening up of new markets • The safeguarding and sustainable creation of jobs • Settlement of companies • Intensification of national and international co-operation

6. Heat Pump Market Plaece

7. AGENDA • EnergyAgency.NRW • Legal Framework • Mining Law licensing (near-surface geothermal energy) • Mining Law licensing (deep geothermal energy)

8. Overview geothermal an law • Mining Law Regulations of the Federal Mining Act • Water law Regulationsof the Federal Water Resources Act • State Law Regulations • Guides, Quality Requirements, Regulations • Law on Planning building • Building regulation Low

9. Legal Framework of the Federal Mining Act • Geothermal energy is considered mountain free mining resource (on these natural resource extends the property not in land)§ 3 Abs. 3 Nr. 2b BBergG • Who wants to mine mountain free mining resources, requires a permission; Whoever wants to win mountain free mining resources requires a approval§ 6 BBergG • except: extraction of geothermal energy in a plot on the occasion of building use§ 4 Abs. 2 Nr. 1 BBergG approval area and permit field - Section from the earth system - planes perpendicular to the depth- cut straight lines on the surface Quelle Bezirksregierung Arnsberg

10. AGENDA • EnergyAgency.NRW • Legal Framework • Mining Law licensing (near-surface geothermal energy) • Mining Law licensing (deep geothermal energy)

11. Mining Law Procedures Geothermal-project in a plotoccasion of the constructional use yes no Hole longer than 100 m? Mining Low permission(searching) no yes „Betriebsplan-zulassung“ forsearching no mountain legal process Notificationaccording§ 127 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 BBergG Mining Law approval(extraction) Betriebsplanpflicht“ no yes Quelle Bezirksregierung Arnsberg „Betriebsplan-zulassung“ forextraction Response –letter „Betriebsplanzulassung“§ 127 BBergG

12. Water legal permit/approval • For the water law requirements, a distinction between the geothermal systems with and those without ground water use. • The geothermal systems without use of ground water work with probes or ground collectors. • It needs a notification or a approval. • State regulations must be observed. • Water authorities are responsible in many places.

13. Different regulation in Germany State-specificdifferencesfor approval • partially notification, partially approval • Different regulation for water protection areas • Different rules regarding the borehole diameter • Different regulation for the distance to the property line • Different regulation for quality control and monitoring • Different regulation for the probe liquids • Different rules on insurance

14. Mining Law Procedures Geothermal-project in a plotoccasion of the constructional use yes no Hole longer than 100 m? Mining Low permission(searching) no yes „Betriebsplan-zulassung“ forsearching no mountain legal process Notificationaccording§ 127 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 BBergG Mining Law approval(extraction) Betriebsplanpflicht“ no yes Quelle Bezirksregierung Arnsberg „Betriebsplan-zulassung“ forextraction Response –letter „Betriebsplanzulassung“§ 127 BBergG

15. What are the protection goal of the „Betriebsplanzulassung“ Geothermal-project in a plotoccasion of the constructional use yes no Hole longer than 100 m? Mining Low permission(searching) no yes „Betriebsplan-zulassung“ forsearching no mountain legal process Notificationaccording§ 127 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 BBergG Mining Law approval(extraction) Betriebsplanpflicht“ no yes Quelle Bezirksregierung Arnsberg „Betriebsplan-zulassung“ forextraction Response –letter „Betriebsplanzulassung“§ 127 BBergG

16. AGENDA • EnergyAgency.NRW • Legal Framework • Mining Law licensing (near-surface geothermal energy) • Mining Law licensing (deep geothermal energy)

17. Deep Geothermal Energy Geothermal-project in a plotoccasion of the constructional use No Yes Hole longer than 100 m? Mining Low permission(searching) „Betriebsplan-zulassung“ forsearching no mountain legal process Notificationaccording§ 127 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 BBergG Mining Law approval(extraction) Betriebsplanpflicht“ Quelle Bezirksregierung Arnsberg „Betriebsplan-zulassung“ forextraction Response –letter „Betriebsplanzulassung“§ 127 BBergG

18. Deep Geothermal Energy Hydrothermal and petrothermal geothermal systems require a permit for mining law • Mining Law permission (searching) • Mining law approval (extraction) • Mining Law “Betriebsplanzulassung” • water law permit • Building permit

19. Mining Law Authorizations • Mining Law permisson (Large-scale exploration) §7 BBergG • First step: Mining law authorization: regulates exploration, seismic and test-drilling • Second step: Betriebsplanzulassung: for the searching • Mining law approval §8 BBergG • First step: Mining law authorization: sets out requirements for the operation (drilling and heat extraction) • Second step: Betriebsplanzulassung: for the Mining • written application • Is there not a reason for refusal, the mountain authority must approve.

20. Mining Law Authorizations • Exploration permission (content) • Designation of mining resources • Size of the authorization field • work program • Financing • "Reliability" of the applicant • Extraction approval (content) • Designation of mineral resources • Proof of mineral resources • work program • Financing • "Reliability" of the applicant

21. Mining Law Authorizations „Betriebsplan“ • The „Betriebsplanzulassung“ allowsthe implementation of the mining measure and the duration of the implementation.. Content • Description of the technical implementation of the measure • Description of the duration of the measure • Reliability of the applicant • Protection of life and health of others (environmental protection) • Proper waste disposal • No harmful effects on the environment

22. Water Law • Water law also applies to drilling more than 100 m • Applies to systems with and without use of ground water • A water law permit is required: • For the extraction of groundwater and groundwater discharge, • For drillings (dishwater, hydraulic opening) • For closed systems (deep borehole heat exchanger) • Upper-day buildings • Mining Authority decides in consultation with the water authorities

23. Building Law For the above-ground part applies (building) • For heating plants and heating power plants • for buildings • Law on Planning building • Building regulation Law • Includes additional permits: • Pollution protectíon • conservation • Safety engineering regulations

24. Summary • There are big differences between near-surface geothermal and deep geothermal Energy • near-surface geothermal energy <100m is regulated by the Water Act • near-surface geothermal energy > 100m is regulated by the Mining Law • There are large differences within Germany (states) • In the deep geothermal energy we have also many regulations to be considered • The mining law has procedures as "exploration", “extraction" and “Betriebsplanzulassung” • Water law and construction law must be considered

25. Überschrift Leonhard Thien EnergyAgency.NRW Lennershofstraße 140 44801 Bochum Telefon: 0234 / 32 10715 E-Mail: thien@energieagentur.nrw.de Internet: www.energieagentur.nrw.de Thanks for your attention!