Accelerating the Employment of Shallow Geothermal Heat and Cold Resources in Europe

Abstract

The principle objective of this paper is to promote the large scale deployment of shallow geothermal heat and cold in Europe. Based on Europe wide potential estimates and several shallow geothermal case studies in the building sector, it is shown that for a real large scale deployment the perception on and sustainable deployment of this resource have to change. Decision makers have to become aware of 1) its potential in terms of both supply and demand 2) the benefits for the end-user and society as a whole and 3) the possibilities for innovative financing schemes. This paper shows that the shallow geothermal potential in Europe is by far sufficient to supply heat and cold to all European citizens. In addition, it shows that there is a large market for geothermal heat and cold in Europe. An important breakthrough can be established by making decision makers aware of their national and regional potential and by communicating that it is energetically much more efficient to use geothermal heat and cold directly, instead of burning limited -and increasingly more expensive- fossil fuels. The Kyoto protocol and the recently set target for a 20% share of renewables in 2020 are expected to create extra momentum in the process of accelerating its deployment, but more importantly, a win-win situation for governments, companies and end-users of geothermal heating and cooling is to be marketed and recognized. This means that apart from the political facilities and incentives that governments should provide to attract companies to invest in geothermal resources; political willingness is enhanced when governments also benefit from its deployment, e.g. by a reduction of environmental problems in cities or through a financial benefit in geothermal heat and cold projects. Several innovative financing schemes are proposed to overcome the initial financial barrier. In conclusion, shallow geothermal energy resources are in fact a gold mine for Europe. Lets now act jointly in Europe to profit from it.