Do you have questions about the geophysical campaign?

You will find below the answers to the most frequently asked questions concerning our geophysical campaign:

What is geothermal energy in brief?

Geothermal energy is a form of renewable energy that comes from heat stored inside the Earth. It can be exploited by capturing heat from the subsoil and using it to produce heat and/or electricity.Hot water is extracted via an exploitation well in the underground geothermal reservoir. The thermal load of this water is utilised to produce heat and electricity behind a heat exchanger whilst the water is fully returned to the reservoir via a second well in order to preserve the resource and enable its regeneration.Geothermal energy presents several advantages such as its constant availability, regardless of weather conditions, its low environmental impact and its modest ground footprint.

Why a geophysical campaign?

‍The geophysical campaign aims to obtain the data necessary to establish detailed mapping of the geological structures of the subsoil. This approach will enable verification of the presence of geothermal reservoirs.

Why geothermal energy in the Eclépens region?

‍By analysing the historical geophysical data of the Eclépens region, our experts have constructed a new geological interpretation of the subsoil. This confirms the uniqueness of this region which is favourable for geothermal exploitation.

Geophysical campaign: What is it about and why does it concern me?

‍Geo2X, the Vaud company commissioned by Swiss Geo Energy, uses lorries that emit acoustic waves transmitted to the subsoil by metal plates that vibrate along the roads every 20 metres. These waves reflect off the underground layers and are detected by small sensors, called geophones, positioned across the entire acquisition zone.The vibrator lorries will only travel on roads and vehicular access routes. The sensors will most often be positioned along access routes, at the boundary between plots and, more rarely, in agricultural areas - once authorisation from the landowners has been obtained.

Geophysical campaign: What effects for residents?

‍The amplitude of the lorries' vibrations is monitored by operators responsible for compliance with current standards. The movement of the lorries, only at night (20:00-6:00), may be felt by the neighbourhood, for a maximum of 30 minutes, around a vibration point due to engine noise and vibrations. The sensors will be planted in the relevant plots then removed after a maximum of three weeks. These sensors are passive. This means they emit no waves and collect no data except for the echo of vibrations produced by the lorries as well as their GPS position.

Why create a 3D mapping of the subsoil?

‍A 3D image of the subsoil will greatly increase the chances of finding an exploitable geothermal reservoir. Previous geophysical campaigns carried out in the region focused on producing 2D geological profiles. To obtain a reliable image of geological structures at great depth, 3D coverage is essential.

Why will the vibrator lorries move at night (20:00 – 6:00)?

‍This is to limit as much as possible the inconvenience to road traffic and agricultural and industrial activities, hence the night campaign. The vibrator lorries will be accompanied by specialised teams who will manage traffic and make it as smooth as possible. Moreover, working at night will enable production of a better quality 3D image since the noise level likely to disturb measurements is much lower at that time.

Do the vibrator lorries and sensors produce waves harmful to health?

‍The acoustic waves produced by the plates mounted under the vibrator lorries have no impact on health. As for the geophones, they only record acoustic waves and their own position by GPS. They therefore emit no waves. However, the acoustic data they record is crucial and for this reason, it is imperative not to touch them and not to move them.

Am I likely to be disturbed by the vibrations from the lorries?

‍The inconvenience caused by the passage of vibrator lorries in inhabited areas lasts a maximum of 30 minutes. Recent experience from geophysical campaigns of the same type across the Vaud countryside and large cities such as Munich, Geneva or Lausanne shows that the inconveniences caused are minimal.

Could the presence of a vibrating lorry near my residence cause damage to my building?

‍Before the passage of the vibrator lorries, a specialised team examines constructions near the vibration zones. Dedicated instruments, measuring vibration intensity, are installed near buildings to guarantee compliance with standards and prevent any damage. The vibration level is adjusted to protect constructions situated a few metres from the vibrator lorries. Moreover, we collaborate closely with cantonal and communal authorities to minimise and limit in time the inconveniences caused by these lorries. Please note that the recent geophysical campaign in Lausanne caused no damage.

Will the passage of vibrator lorries disrupt road traffic?

‍The vibrator lorries will travel at night and will be accompanied by teams who will manage road traffic. Through these measures, the lorries will only cause brief inconvenience.

There was already recently a geophysical campaign in my commune. Why are you doing another one?

‍The geophysical campaign by Orllati Real Estate company last winter aimed at characterising shallow targets in the immediate environment of 2D measurement lines.Our campaign concerns a surface area of 104 km² which corresponds to our permit to explore from the surface (PRSU). We aim to identify deep reservoirs for which we need a three-dimensional image of geological structures. Moreover, our method enables restricting the passage of lorries to vehicular routes and limiting to the strict minimum the measurement points in agricultural plots.Furthermore, our geophysical campaign will provide a multitude of valuable geological information for the canton and the communes concerned for all sorts of applications.

I would like to ask other questions. How can I contact you?

‍If you have questions relating to the geophysical campaign, you can contact us by sending an email to info@swissgeoenergy.com or by contacting the permitting team on 079 536 43 21. The latter is only accessible on working days from 8:30 to 17:30.

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