- Accueil
- Actualités et public…
- Publications
- The role of heat pro…
- Sur cette page
26 mars 2025
Publication series – 23 de 66 Publications
The role of heat probes in the energy transition: Authorisation procedures and potential
- Briefing
The energy transition poses major challenges for the real estate sector particularly surrounding heat supply. Fossil fuels such as oil and gas are increasingly being replaced by sustainable alternatives to achieve climate targets and reduce costs in the long term. One particularly promising technology is the utilisation of geothermal energy using heat probes. This enables an environmentally friendly, efficient and virtually CO₂-free heat supply for buildings. However, before a heat probe can be utilised, an approval process is required, which can vary in complexity depending on the location and depth of the borehole.
This article is intended to provide an initial overview of the authorisation procedures that may be required:
1. Location analysis
The first step is to analyse the site involving a technical and legal check on whether the planned site is suitable for a heat probe. Important factors are
- Geological conditions: The subsoil must be stable enough to allow drilling.
- Water protection areas: In sensitive areas such as drinking water protection zones, strict conditions and even bans apply.
- Distances to neighbouring properties: Minimum distances must be maintained to avoid conflicts.
In this phase, a technical expert should first be consulted to assess the geological and hydrological conditions. If the project is located in a water protection area, a legal assessment of the site would also be required.
2. Making the application
If the site analysis is positive overall, the application is submitted to the competent authority which is normally the local nature conservation authority. in some federal states, a mining permit is also required for drilling below a certain depth (e.g. 100 metres), meaning that the mining authority may be responsible for the application. The application must contain detailed information:
- Technical data on the borehole (depth, diameter).
- Details of the planned heat pump system.
- Proof of environmental compatibility (e.g. in particular for the protection of groundwater).
3. Official inspection
The authority examines the application for technical and ecological feasibility. The following aspects are considered:
- Groundwater protection: It must be ensured that no contamination of the groundwater occurs.
- Safety aspects: The stability of the subsoil must not be jeopardised by the drilling.
- Compliance with the requirements of the Federal Water Act (WHG) as well as regulations applicable in the federal state.
Depending on the complexity of the project, this step can take several weeks to months.
4. (Drilling) authorisation and implementation
After a successful inspection, the authority issues a licence, which may be subject to conditions (e.g. regular leak tests). The borehole can then be drilled by a certified specialist company. During the work, regular monitoring is carried out by the authorities to ensure that all requirements are met.
5. commissioning and documentation
Once the drilling work has been completed, the heat probe is installed and connected to the heating system. Commissioning must be documented and reported to the authorities. In addition, the authorities generally oblige project developers to carry out regular maintenance to ensure safe operation in the long term.
Why does this process make sense?
Although the approval process can involve a certain amount of effort, it is worth it: those who hold such sustainable real estate in their portfolio benefit from low operating costs in the long term, an increase in property value and an important contribution to the energy transition. The energy efficiency of properties plays a central role in the environmental aspect (E) of the ESG criteria. A high ESG score can, for example, improve creditworthiness and make it much easier to finance projects. Non-sustainable buildings, on the other hand, lose value (so-called “brown discounts”) and are also more difficult to market.
Dans cette série
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
par plusieurs auteurs
FIDIC – An introduction to the FIDIC Suite 2017
22 octobre 2025
par plusieurs auteurs
The Renewable Energy Expansion Acceleration Act – a boost for the energy transition in Austria?
23 septembre 2025
par Sabine Meister
Federal Network Agency discussion paper on reforming grid fees for industry and commerce
25 septembre 2025
par plusieurs auteurs
German-Dutch Treaty on Cross-Border Energy Projects
18 septembre 2025
par plusieurs auteurs
Energy communities in Austria and the new Electricity Industry Act (ElWG)
15 septembre 2025
New amendment to the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) introduced in July and August 2025
8 septembre 2025
Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) – a new state aid framework for the green transformation of industry
8 septembre 2025
par Dr. Michael Brüggemann, Johannes Schaadt-Wambach, LL.M. (Prag)
Industrial electricity prices: initial assessment and opportunities for businesses
18 août 2025
par Johannes Schaadt-Wambach, LL.M. (Prag), Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham)
Regulatory Framework for Transmission System Operators in Germany
18 août 2025
par plusieurs auteurs
Court ruling on the effectiveness of availability guarantees for wind turbines
31 juillet 2025
New Legal Framework for the Commercial Use of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU)
11 juillet 2025
par plusieurs auteurs
Are offshore wind converter platforms a bottleneck in the energy transition? New German government wants to create production capacities at German shipyards
17 juin 2025
par plusieurs auteurs
Speeding up the energy transition - the new German government’s plans for gas and steam power plants and its quest for the right technology for renewable energy
8 mai 2025
par plusieurs auteurs
Update - Change of government opens the door to carbon capture and storage and carbon capture and utilisation
17 avril 2025
par plusieurs auteurs
The special fund for infrastructure and climate protection - what is next?
10 avril 2025
par plusieurs auteurs
Changes to CBAM through Omnibus legislative package
10 avril 2025
The role of heat probes in the energy transition: Authorisation procedures and potential
26 mars 2025
CJEU judgement on customer installations in accordance with Section 3 No. 24a Law on the Energy Industry EnWG
26 mars 2025
par Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham), Dr. Christian Ertel
Will the new German government open the door for carbon capture and storage?
26 février 2025
par plusieurs auteurs
Waste heat from data centres - new reporting obligations under the EnEfG
6 février 2025
par plusieurs auteurs
Rabigh 2 Solar Independent Power Project (IPP)
11 décembre 2024
Oman and Belgium Sign Landmark MoU on Green Hydrogen Cooperation
11 décembre 2024
Decision day: Grid fee exemption in customer systems and energy price brake put to the test
28 novembre 2024
par Dr. Christian Ertel, Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham)
BGH: Balance sheet allocation of electricity withdrawals at higher voltage levels in the event of supplier failure - recommended action for grid operators
11 novembre 2024
Hydrogen core network - The Federal Network Agency’s strategy for the energy transition
11 novembre 2024
par plusieurs auteurs
Amendment to the Energy Industry Act: changes for energy supply companies and grid and system operators
18 septembre 2024
par Dr. Christian Ertel, Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham)
Standard Essential Patents: A new challenge for the IoT and smart meter world
10 septembre 2024
Land acquisition and data protection: The importance of the GDPR when project developers request owner data
18 juillet 2024
par Dr. Patrick Vincent Zurheide, LL.M. (Aberdeen), Dr. Julia Wulff
Municipalities to share profit in wind turbines and ground-mounted photovoltaic systems
11 juillet 2024
par plusieurs auteurs
Solar Package I - Overview of Changes to Ground-Mounted and Building-Mounted PV Systems
27 mai 2024
Mandatory special charge for open space photovoltaic systems in Brandenburg
21 février 2024
par plusieurs auteurs
A new era for wind energy investments in Hungary
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
26 janvier 2024
Updating the National Hydrogen Strategy
6 novembre 2023
par Dr. Niels L. Lange, LL.M. (Stellenbosch), Dr. Janina Pochhammer
The new CO2 border adjustment mechanism (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism - “CBAM”) - first statutory reporting obligations set for January 2024
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
3 novembre 2023
New IT security requirements for the energy sector
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
1 septembre 2023
par Dr. Paul Voigt, Lic. en Derecho, CIPP/E, Alexander Schmalenberger, LL.B.
Does monument protection hinder the expansion of renewable energies?
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
16 août 2023
The amending law to strengthen digitisation in the urban land use planning process and the further expansion of renewable energies
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
6 juillet 2023
Challenges for data center operators - The federal government’s draft bill for an energy efficiency act
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
12 avril 2023
par plusieurs auteurs
The Energy Charter Treaty in the Light of the Electricity Price Brake: An opportunity for investors to litigate?
27 janvier 2023
Ordinance for Determining Critical Infrastructures (KritisV): Renewable energy plants as critical infrastructure and requirements for IT protection
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
12 juillet 2022
par Dr. Paul Voigt, Lic. en Derecho, CIPP/E, Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham)
Liquefied Natural Gas Projects in Germany: The LNG Acceleration Act
Q&A series: Energy & Infrastructure
10 juin 2022
Participation of local municipalities in the context of wind and photovoltaic projects
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
5 mai 2022
Renewable Energy Wrap-Up – France
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
27 avril 2022
Renewable Energy Wrap-Up - United Kingdom
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
15 mars 2022
Building energy performance: the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
14 février 2022
Fit for 55 – Hydrogen and the Reform of the European Gas Market
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
11 janvier 2022
Renewable Energy Wrap-Up – Netherlands
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
2 décembre 2021
Renewable Energy Wrap-Up – Poland
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
21 septembre 2021
par Olav Nemling
Renewable Energy Wrap-Up – Austria
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
18 août 2021
Renewable Energy Wrap-Up - Germany
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
12 juillet 2021
par Carsten Bartholl
Floating Foundations for Offshore Wind Farms
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
8 juin 2021
Species protection exemption: Significance for wind energy
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
25 mai 2021
Power-to-Hydrogen
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
6 avril 2021
Focus PV – Floating Solar and Agrivoltaics
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
23 mars 2021
