The drainage water from the Brenner Base Tunnel could supply Innsbruck’s city districts with energy in the future. A research association led by TU Graz is exploring the possibilities.
The drainage water from the Brenner Base Tunnel could supply Innsbruck's city districts with energy in the future. A research association led by TU Graz is exploring the possibilities. BBT SE (Download by mouse click) By Christoph Pelzl - Research association led by TU Graz wants to use the heat contained in the discharged tunnel water to supply energy to entire city districts. As part of the FFG programme "City of the Future", a sustainable concept for the city of Innsbruck is being developed. Additional Images for download at the end of the text After completion in about ten years, the Brenner base tunnel is expected to provide relief for transit traffic between Italy and Austria. The Brenner Base Tunnel Company (BBT SE) and Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe (Innsbruck municipal works) now want to generate an additional benefit together with the Institute of Rock Mechanics and Tunnelling at Graz University of Technology and determine the geothermal potential of the tunnel, as Institute head Thomas Marcher explains: "We are investigating whether and how drainage water from the Brenner base tunnel can be used for climate-friendly heating and cooling of houses or even entire neighbourhoods in Innsbruck." Pioneering results within one year. Thomas Marcher heads the Institute for Rock Mechanics and Tunnelling at TU Graz.
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