Geothermal Power
Certificate Course - Energy Engineering - EE.1.3.I26
| Date | Nov 26 - 27, 2026 |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Location | On campus - Karlsruhe |
| Language | English |
| ECTS | Upon request |
| Cost | 1,550 € |
Course prerequisites - Physics, thermodynamics, material sciences, fluid dynamics from the bachelor level, practical technical experience gained during a professional career is helpful, but not obligatory required.
Fundamentals
Understanding the basic concepts behind geothermal energy, from nanometer-scale processes to system-level behavior.
Technology
Translating these principles into engineering solutions for efficient and sustainable geothermal energy extraction.
What you´ll explore
- Energy content provided by the Earth.
- Introduction on geothermal relevant structure of the Earth.
- Heat transport processes in rocks.
- Basic physics of porous media.
- Application to steady state and transient heat conduction (i.e. temperature field of the Earth, transport in continental and oceanic crust, influence of topography and paleoclimatic temperature signals, radiogenic heat generation, energy conservation).
- Heat advection and Darcy flow regime.
- Introduction into geothermal methods:
- Thermal and petro physical rock properties, Bullard Plot Interpretation, BHT temperature correction, temperature Logging techniques.
- Introduction into Drilling and Logging Technologies: Basics of petro physics and wire line logging; Passive/Active electric measurement; Sonic Log, Nuclear methods; Televiewer methods.
- Introduction and statistics of Geothermal production.
- High temperature systems (Conventional high enthalpy utilization, EGS Systems / Hydraulic Fields in Reservoirs, Associated physical processes in fractured media, Induced Seismicity).
- Low enthalpy utilization (Heat pump, Dimensioning and Installation of Ground Coupled Heat Pump Systems, Current Problems in GCHP Installation).
- Economic Modeling of Heat Extraction from aquifers.
Your key takeaways
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Understanding the fundamentals, capabilities, and limitations of solar thermal energy systems
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Application of physical laws to engineering design and system performance evaluation
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Ability to estimate and analyze performance limits of solar thermal technologies
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Knowledge of heat and electricity generation through interconnected thermal systems
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Understanding key technical parameters influencing renewable energy system configurations
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Introduction to geothermal energy fundamentals, heat transport, and practical utilization technologies
Taught by recognized experts in Geothermal Power
Benefit from the knowledge of leading specialists with extensive experience in research and industry. Their deep expertise guarantees a course of outstanding academic and practical quality.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Kohl
Prof. Dr. Thomas Kohl is a geophysicist and full professor at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, holding the Chair of Geothermal Energy and Reservoir Technology. He studied geophysics at KIT, worked at CNRS Paris, and earned his PhD and habilitation at ETH Zurich. Since 2010 at KIT, he leads major geothermal research programs, coordinates large infrastructure projects, and has authored 100+ publications with extensive academic and industrial experience.
Who should attend
This certificate course is designed for professionals seeking a structured introduction to geothermal energy and its role in sustainable heat and electricity generation.
- Engineers and technical professionals in the energy, geoscience, drilling, construction, and manufacturing industries who are involved in or preparing for geothermal energy projects
- Energy consultants, planners, and project managers working on renewable energy strategies, geothermal installations, and the evaluation of sustainable heat and power solutions
- Professionals in utilities, infrastructure, and industrial sectors seeking to understand geothermal technologies, reservoir behavior, heat transport, and system integration
- Experts in energy policy, regulation, and public administration who need a solid technical and economic understanding of geothermal energy systems to support energy transition initiatives
- Researchers and academics aiming to deepen their knowledge of geothermal processes, porous media, drilling and logging technologies, geothermal production systems, and thermal energy utilization
- Professionals who want a coherent overview from the fundamentals of geothermal energy to practical applications, economic assessment, and the opportunities and challenges of large-scale geothermal deployment
Advance your career with KIT-level expertise
Benefit from the reputation of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) while gaining practical skills, flexible learning opportunities, and a recognized certificate to support your long-term professional growth.
Flexibility
Gain focused expertise in a specific field without committing to a full degree program, allowing you to build relevant knowledge efficiently and integrate learning seamlessly into your professional routine.
Relevance
Benefit from high-quality academic content combined with practical insights, delivered by experienced experts, supporting continuous, lifelong learning while ensuring direct applicability in real-world scenarios.
Advancement
Enhance your professional profile with a recognized certificate, demonstrating your commitment to ongoing development and supporting your career with tangible, verifiable credentials.