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New Geothermal Heat Analysis Unveils Opportunities for Europe

In a groundbreaking analysis, Project InnerSpace, in collaboration with Future Cleantech Architects (FCA), has uncovered significant potential for geothermal heat conversion across Europe. The report, titled "Unlocking Europe's Geothermal Industrial Heat Potential," highlights 30 key industrial clusters in 11 EU member states as prime candidates for geothermal energy utilization. This innovative approach could save approximately €850 million annually in fuel costs and reduce CO₂ emissions by about 4.3 million tonnes each year, which is equivalent to the emissions produced by more than nine million barrels of oil.

The Geothermal Landscape of Europe

Instigating a shift away from dependence on natural gas, which currently accounts for about half of the European Union’s industrial heat, the project identifies Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, and Spain as the home to these valuable clusters. This analysis emphasizes the untapped geothermal heat potential lying beneath the continent, with an estimated 18,000 gigawatts-thermal available at sufficient temperatures (100°C or above) to serve various industrial processes including cooking, dehydration, distillation, and sterilization.

Geothermal energy often plays a secondary role in discussions surrounding heat decarbonization, yet it presents an opportunity for Europe to boost energy security and stabilize access to domestic energy sources while mitigating reliance on fluctuating fuel prices. The volatility in gas prices seen during 2022 highlighted just how exposed the continent is to international markets, showcasing the pressing need for alternatives. Germany's energy-intensive industries faced a significant downturn, decreasing output by around 20% during that time.

The Path Forward for Geothermal Energy

According to Drew Nelson, Vice President of Strategy at Project InnerSpace, while geothermal energy is usually associated with electricity production, its industrial heat applications represent a substantial opportunity that needs to be spotlighted. The analysis not only identifies immediate opportunities for geothermal deployment but also points to an additional 152 potential clusters that could follow suit across the EU.

Ensuring the successful implementation of geothermal industrial processes necessitates specific policy interventions, including the prioritization of industrial geothermal projects, the organization of demand within clusters, and the designation of reliable operators for each cluster. The analysis suggests various measures to mitigate early-stage risks to catalyze investment in geothermal, with recommendations for streamlining permitting processes and enhancing subsurface data quality.

Dr. Marlène Siméon, Director of Policy at FCA, expressed optimism for next-generation geothermal technologies. She emphasized the importance public policy plays at this crucial commercialization stage, stating that it can provide the necessary support akin to what solar and wind energy benefitted from years ago.

The forthcoming EU Geothermal Strategy and Action Plan, along with the establishment of the Geothermal Stakeholder Partnership, highlights the urgency of coordinating resources and support to capitalize on the identified geothermal clusters. Member States can further define the role geothermal energy will play in meeting their renewable energy targets as framed in their national energy and climate strategies.

The report's findings will be discussed in an upcoming webinar on October 28, featuring notable figures like former EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and Martin Hojsík, European Parliament Vice-President, who will address the implications and pathways forward for geothermal energy's role in European industry.

For more in-depth details about the report, visit Project InnerSpace.

About Project InnerSpace

Project InnerSpace is an independent non-profit dedicated to advancing geothermal energy development worldwide. The organization aims to dismantle the barriers hindering the growth of geothermal solutions by 2030. To learn more about their mission, visit Project InnerSpace Website.

About Future Cleantech Architects

Future Cleantech Architects serves as a non-partisan climate think tank committed to fostering innovation in technologies vital for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Their work focuses on identifying and implementing solutions to the pressing environmental challenges faced by industries today.