CV
He is considered an experienced expert in the geothermal sector: Dr Horst Kreuter, who holds a doctorate in geology, has been researching and working in the field of deep geothermal energy for around 25 years with a great deal of expertise and passion. His company Vulcan Energie Ressourcen occupies a special position in this field. Through its unique project, the production of Zero Carbon Lithium™, Vulcan wants to set an example: It combines climate-neutral energy production through geothermal energy with the extraction of lithium from thermal water. The goal is to advance the climate change and at the same time make the German and European electric car industry less dependent on expensive and climate-damaging lithium imports. Dr Horst Kreuter completed his academic training at the renowned Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). After studying applied geology, Dr Kreuter completed his doctorate in soil and rock mechanics at the Faculty of Civil Engineering. For more than 15 years, Dr Kreuter managed the consulting company GeoThermal Engineering GmbH in Karlsruhe, which initiated and accompanied many geothermal projects in Germany and abroad. He was also active on the executive committee of both the German Geothermal Association (BVG) and the International Geothermal Association (IGA).
In his presentation, Dr Horst Kreuter will highlight the most important aspects of Zero Carbon Lithium™, the current interim status of the project and the opportunities and challenges associated with lithium extraction in the Upper Rhine Graben. In addition, Dr Kreuter provides insights into the physical process used for lithium extraction and informs about the operation of a pilot plant with which lithium extraction is already being carried out in practice.