International Cooperation on Geothermal Research Through the Geothermal ERA-NET

Abstract

The GEOTHERMAL ERA NET is a cooperation instrument, supported by the European Commission. The aim is to deepen European cooperation on geothermal research at national and administrative levels and enable the integration of national research programs. It is a four years project led by Orkustofnun Iceland and in cooperation with partners from Iceland, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Turkey and Slovakia. Geothermal energy deployment requires the coordination of multi-disciplinary topics from earth sciences, engineering and commercial sectors, in order to optimise the geothermal resource characterization, development, operation and management. While the technological challenge is to create systems and technologies that will streamline and optimise the sophisticated and complex workflow that integrates the various topics, the logistical and organisational challenge is to create the units and the processes within the geothermal community and at a political level. National geothermal energy programs have developed mostly in response to specific local geothermal resources and conditions, national skills and competences and importantly, along national goals that result from local conditions. This has led to the development of national/local RD&D value chains that are duplicated in other European countries. The fragmented nature of the geothermal industry and hence technology development has become a liability considering the vastness of the geothermal resource. The Geothermal ERA NET will take a prominent enabling role to assemble a fragmented picture and optimize geothermal research delivery. It is an ambitious initiative to foster cooperation and integration of geothermal research funding agencies in Europe and worldwide. It will identify key challenges and bottlenecks; define the actions to tackle them; establish the investment levels needed; develop a strategy for prioritisation and thus to develop an understanding of the optimal level of intervention from member states that wish to advance geothermal development and deployment. The ultimate goal of developing transnational joint activities ensures that results from the analysis of national RD&D programs are used. Gaps will be eliminated and existing strengths will be enhanced by competitively awarded Europe-wide RD&D projects.