The IEA Geothermal Implementing Agreement - Its Goals, Status, Achievements and Prospects

Abstract

The International Energy Agency Implementing Agreement for a Cooperative Programme on Geothermal Energy Research and Technology, or Geothermal Implementing Agreement (GIA), provides an important framework for wide-ranging international cooperation in geothermal R&D. The activities of the GIA, which began in March 1997, are directed primarily to the coordination of existing national programmes and focus on assembling specific capabilities and enhancing their effectiveness by establishing direct cooperative links among geothermal experts in the participating countries. The R&D activities are conducted under Annexes to the GIA, of which there are currently five: Environmental Impacts of Geothermal Energy Development, Enhanced Geothermal Systems, Deep Geothermal Resources, Advanced Geothermal Drilling Techniques and Direct Use of Geothermal Energy.
The GIA is now operating in its second 5-year term, which ends in March 2007. The overall goal for this term, defined in the 2002-2007 Strategic Plan, is to support and advance the worldwide use of geothermal energy by seeking to overcome the barriers to its development. To help meet this challenge, the GIA recently expanded its R&D activities by adding a fifth annex, Direct Use of Geothermal Energy; and is preparing to include other new topics, which are now defined as draft annexes. These include: Sustainability of Geothermal Energy Use, Geothermal Power Generation Cycles, and Geothermal Market Acceleration. In addition, efforts are underway to extend official GIA membership and to encourage qualified non-Member participation. As of May 2004, the European Commission (EC) and nine countries: Australia, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United States, were Members.
A brief review of the IEA and GIA structures is presented; and the goals, status and achievements of the GIA and its future prospects are summarized.