Map of Geothermal Food - an Overview of Applications of Geothermal Energy for Food Production

Abstract

Geothermal energy is known to have the potential to supply power and heating and cooling (H&C) solutions all over the world. However, power production is limited to very few regions characterized by favorable geologic conditions and well-established H&C shallow applications are mostly installed for individual uses. At present, few are the cases where geothermal energy is applied to food production and processing but cover a rather large variety of applications, including horticulture, brewery, dairy, aquaculture, even caviar, and cooking directly in fumaroles and hot springs and more. New energy policies are developing worldwide (e.g. the Green Deal at the European level) to support the decarbonization of the food sector and geothermal energy can play a major role in the near future. With this study, we wish to present a global map of the known applications of geothermal energy into food production and attract attention to the opportunities that can be implemented in the future worldwide to contribute to local economic growth, food security, and improved sustainability.