CPG-CH - Unlocking the Potential of the Swiss Molasse Basin and the Need for Further Exploration
Year: 2026
Type: report
Abstract: The deep Swiss subsurface is relatively poorly understood, inhibiting its exploitation for geothermal energy, carbon storage, or critical minerals. A comprehensive understanding of the Swiss Molasse Basin is needed to tap into its potential. We document here an attempt to quantify Switzerland’s potential for CO2 Plume Geothermal (CPG), which uses CO2 as the working fluid for geothermal extraction. The existing and available wellbore data and seismic data obtained mainly from previous oil and gas exploration were found to be insufficient to understand the subsurface on a level needed to make informed assessment. Although additional legacy data could be made public, the limited usability of this data for our purpose makes it unlikely to substantially improve our understanding of the Swiss subsurface. We therefore make recommendations on how to equip researchers and project developers with the insights and data needed to fully unlock the Swiss subsurface for energy production and storage, carbon storage, or critical mineral production.
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204121950
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