EGEC Newsletter
- issue no 7 - July 2008 (.pdf 0,5 MB)
- issue no 6 - January 2008 (.pdf 0,7 MB)

- issue no 5 - July 2007 (.pdf 0,9 MB)
- issue no 4
– March 2007 (.pdf 0,8 MB)
- issue no 3
– December 2006 (.pdf 0,3 MB)
- issue no 2 – October 2006 (.pdf 3,5 MB)
- issue no 1
– February 2006 (.pdf 2,0 MB)


NEWS

19.12.2008
GTRH Consultation on geothermal regulations
The work of the GTR-H project having reviewed the current geothermal energy frameworks in Europe, can summarise its recommendations as being the need/requirement for national primary legislation to demonstrate that geothermal energy is regulated effectively either through existing or new legislation.
The framework template sets out the main areas for inclusion/consideration in any geothermal framework/regulation/legislation considered from the work so far completed in the GTR-H project.
A consultation process is open now and until the 31/01/2009: please send your comments to com@egec.org
17.12.2008
Adoption of the directive to promote renewables
This morning the European Parliament adopted the directive on RES with a large majority.
It creates a positive climate for the long term development of geothermal energy in Europe. EGEC wants to thank its members for their support in permitting to have our slogan a reality "EGEC helps you to develop geothermal business and needs your support to increase it!"
Indeed, many positive aspects concern geothermal energy in the directive: a definition, a better grid access, development of geothermal district heating…
But the story is not finished. We have now to help Member States in implementing this legislation by proposing measures for their National Renewable Actions Plans and be sure geothermal energy will be a major player! Become a member of EGEC and boost your geothermal activities !
Online membership application at => join
You can find in attachment the press release we published today.
15.12.2008
World Bank’s GeoFund - IGA Geothermal Workshop
The World Bank’s GeoFund - IGA Geothermal Workshop will be this February 16-19, 2009 in Istanbul Turkey at the President Hotel in the heart of old-city. Given your companies reputation in the industry, this would be a great opportunity to highlight your company through a key sponsorship. Please see Sponsor Prospectus, Agenda and Application attached.
More
12.12.2008
EU Heads of State endorsed the 20% mandatory targets for renewables
At their Summit today, the EU Heads of State endorsed the 20% mandatory targets for renewables agreed on Tuesday. Tomorrow, the trialogue we'll discuss the last points concerning the climate part of the 'energy and climate package'. Next week in Strasbourg, the European Parliament will have to vote in Plenary Session on this piece of legislation.
10.12.2008
Decisive negotiations for post Kyoto protocole in Poznan
From 1 to 12 dec 2008, the COP 14 meets in Poland to prepare the way towards a new protocole for CO2 emissions reduction next year in Copenhagen during the COP 15. EGEC, in collaboration with IGA, presented yesterday the contribution of geothermal energy to the mitigation of climate change. Presentations are available here.
09.12.2008
Agreement on the new EU Directive on Renewable Energy
An agreement was found this morning during the trialogue European Commission-European Parliament and the Council, following a meeting of energy ministers yesterday. EGEC welcomes the last version of the directive. Heads of States and Governments showed during the financial crisis that they can take important measures to try to solve this crisis. EGEC hopes that thursday 11 and friday 12 dec. 2008, the European Summit will show the same conviction to combat climate change in adopting the energy and climate package.
05.12.2008
First Announcement of the GTRH Conference in Brussels the 11/02/2009
The present lack of regulation for geothermal energy over most of the European Union, is inhibiting the effective exploitation of this underutilized renewable resource. This conference will aim to discuss a regulation framework for geothermal energy, to be included in the National Renewable Action Plans. The Directive to promote renewable energy source (electricity and heating and cooling) will increase the use of geothermal energy, in order to support the struggle for a sustainable, clean energy future in Europe. The proposal describes the EU’s strategy and objectives, and suggests that each Member State should decide its own strategy, according to its own potential and resources. There is an urgent need for removing legal barriers and increasing information and awareness about the geothermal sector, which is essential for reaching the EU target of 20% RES by 2020. This implies that effective action plans should propose policy initiatives to address the barriers which currently hamper the rapid expansion of the geothermal market.
(Reply Form - Preliminary Program)
26.11.2008
Open Letter
sent by the European Renewable Energy Council and the Italian Renewable Energy Association (APER) to the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (EN, IT)
21.11.2008
EREC Technology Roadmap 2020 launched
Hot off the press: The EREC Renewable Energy Technology Roadmap 20% by 2020 (FR,EN)
Press release
20.11.2008
The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznań, Poland - COP 14
The 14th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change Convention (COP 14) will be held in conjunction with the 4th Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 4) in Poznań, Poland, from 1 to 12 December 2008. The Poznań Climate Change Conference provides the opportunity to draw together the advances made in 2008 and move from discussion to negotiation mode in 2009. Such an outcome at Poznań would build momentum towards an agreed outcome at Copenhagen next year.
IGA and EGEC will organize there a conference the tuesday 09/12 on "The possible role and contribution of geothermal energy to the mitigation of climate change".
19.11.2008
Successful promotion meeting in Karlsruhe
Within the framework of the GROUND-REACH project, EGEC had organised a workshop on "Heating and Cooling with Geothermal Heat Pumps" in Karlsruhe on 12 November 2008, within the German Geothermal Congress. All presentations given at the meeting are available for download (click here).
10.11.2008
Adoption of the Declaration of Budapest 2008 by EUFORES
On November 7th 2008, the 8th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency" (IPM8) organised by EUFORES (the European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources - is a European parliamentary network and an independent Non-Profit Organization aimed at promoting renewable energy in Europe) brought together over 60 Parliamentarians from EU27 National Parliaments as well as the European Parliament. The Parliamentarians discussed in two sessions the new European Directive for Renewable Energy (RES) as well as the status of the national Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAPs). A special focus was given on potentials of and benefits for Central and Eastern European Countries. On behalf of EGEC, Gabor Szita made there a presentation on: "Geothermal markets in Hungary and CEE Countries". The high level meeting in the beautiful Parliament of Hungary led to the adoption of the Declaration of Budapest 2008 on future EU policies in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
04.11.2008
WORLD GEOTHERMAL CONGRESS 2010 & 2015
The WGC 2010 will be held in Bali (Indonesia) from 25 to 30 April 2010. The Second Announcement has been published. The deadline for abstract submission is the 31/01/2009 !
The IGA Board of Directors is calling for expressions of interest to host the World Geothermal Congress in 2015: here
27.10.2008
New global energy strategy tackles climate change saving USD 18 trillion in fuel costs
Aggressive investment in renewable power generation and energy efficiency could create an annual USD 360 billion industry, providing half of the world’s electricity, slashing over USD 18 trillion in future fuel costs while protecting the climate, according to the report : ‘Energy [R]evolution: A Sustainable World Energy Outlook’, produced today by the European Renewable Energy Council and Greenpeace International. For more information, please read the press release.
24.10.2008
The Ground Reach project has released a 2nd press release to promote Ground Source Heat Pumps: for download here
17.10.2008
Second announcement for Ground Reach Workshop in Karlsruhe
Full programme details are now available: program + reply form
Location: Messe Karlsruhe, Messeallee 1 / 76287 Rheinstetten
Date: 12/11/2008
14.10.2008
An Investor’s Guide to Geothermal Energy: How to capitalize on the heat beneath your feet
The number of investors recognizing the allure of geothermal energy is growing from day to day. Yet, there are many risks and barriers associated with geothermal energy development and tapping the large potential of geothermal resources requires in-depth know how. forseo’s new publication "The Investor’s Guide to Geothermal Energy" provides the reader with a comprehensive and market driven insight into all important aspects of geothermal business and projects, covering geothermal development and opportunities on a world wide scale. The publication is endorsed by the IGA (International Geothermal Association), EGEC (European Geothermal Energy Council) and UNEPs Sustainable Energy Finance Initiative (SEFI). The Investor's Guide to Geothermal, Sept. 2008, 104 pages, 280 EUR
Further information and orders
07.10.2008
Conference "Meeting the energy challenge for renewables" - Call for papers
in 2009, the Conference will be in Cologne (KoelnMesse) - Germany from 26 to 28 may.
The call for papers is open: abstract deadline is 17/10/2008.
more info on: renewable energy world-europe
01.10.2008
A Research Agenda for Geothermal Energy - proposal
EGEC prepared a list of priorities for R&D in the geothermal sector. The paper was firstly discussed during the workshop organized by EGEC the 05/09/2008 in Brussels. Main priorities have been selected and are presented to the ‘geothermal community‘ to receive comments and new ideas (please send it before the 31/10/2008 !). A final version of the Research Agenda will be published in November 2008. Thanks for your contribution.
EGEC Research agenda
30.09.2008
New FP7 call for proposals open ! - update

The new EC call for proposals 2008 is published. For geothermal energy, it concerns: Understanding and mitigation of induced seismicity associated with geothermal field development.
The deadline is the 25/11/2008. The call for proposals
Another call concerns "Hybrid systems based on solar thermal heating/cooling, backed up by biomass or geothermal to compensate heat load intermittence"
Deadline: 29 April 2009. The call for proposals
The work programme
 
Read more at: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm
15.09.2008
First announcement for Ground Reach Workshop in Karlsruhe
preliminary programme
We are very pleased to inform you about the date for the Workshop in Karlsruhe (Germany) on
12 November 2008.
Topic:
Geothermal HP: Policy and Market / Technology / Education and Training'.
12.09.2008
ITRE committee votes on geothermal energy in RES Directive

This Thursday, 11/09/2008, the relevant committee of the European Parliament has voted on the amendments to the Directive.
Through several position papers, contact to relevant MEPs, participation in workshops and meetings, and in particular through the cooperation with our roof organization, EREC, EGEC has been able to voice the wishes as well as the concerns of the geothermal industry.
For geothermal energy, we now can see positive results on most issues!
> EGEC has released an information letter: for download here
The European Parliament will vote on the Renewable Energy Directive in a plenary session in the coming months.
10.09.2008
Renewable Heating & Cooling Congress, Brussels: 16-17/10/2008 - Cancelled !
26.08.2008
Reminder: Celebration EGEC 10th anniversary

Topic:
invitation to celebrate with us the 10th anniversary for EGEC
Date:
5 september 2008
Time:
12.00 - 17.00
Venue:
Renewable Energy House, 63-65 rue d’Arlon, 1040 Brussels, Belgium.
Dr Burkhard Sanner, EGEC President, will review the creation and first decade of EGEC, to celebrate our 10 years with all the geothermal community.
We want also to invite you to define the strategy of our sector to help the EU in reaching 20% of RES by 2020, with a large contribution from geothermal energy.
Please confirm your participation by email – a few seats are still available.
at: com@egec.org
01.08.2008
EGEC News n°7 now online !

23.05.2008
Invitation for the upcoming EGEC RESTMAC Workshop in Strasbourg

Topic: Geothermal Electricity & CHP in Europe: a technology for our future
Date:
18 June 2008
Time:
10.00-16.00
Venue
: Palais des congrès – Place de Bordeaux

Following the conference, a site visit to ‘Soultz-sous-forêt’ Plant (A European research programme for electrical power generation from a deep enhanced geothermal system) > www.soultz.net


Registration required!


Agenda
> Please see events page

21.05.2008
EGEC
RESTMAC Workshop in Budapest

The workshop on
Agriculture and Commercial Applications for Geothermal Heating & Cooling took place in Budapest, Hungary, on April 25, 2008.

Workshop presentations for download here

20.05.2008
The 2008 POWER-GEN Europe, Renewable Energy Europe and POWERGRID Europe Conference & Exhibition.

When?
On June 3-5, 2008
Where?
IN FIERA Milano - City Centre, Milan, Italy

More information available from: http://pge08.events.pennnet.com/fl/index.cfm

12.05.2008
EGEC has 10 years !

The 12th of May 1998, EGEC held its first General Assembly in Straubing (Germany). The General Assembly elected Dr Christian Boissavy as first EGEC President. A celebration will be organized the Friday  5 Sept. 2008 in Brussels.

28.04.2008
REH extension INAUGURATION


The Renewable Energy House is extended and celebrate the 18th of June 2008 its extra premises in rue d’ Arlon 67!

28.04.2008
RESTMAC Workshop in Milan


Invitation for EGEC workshop on Geothermal heating & Cooling in Milan, Italy, on May 19, 2008, is online.


Location:
Casa dell’energia
Topic:
Geothermal Heating & Cooling in Italy & Mediterranean countries: a growing market’.

Both experts and national associations are wholeheartedly invited to present and express their arguments. 
 

Please see events page.

28.04.2008
First announcement for RESTMAC Workshop in Strasbourg

We are very pleased to inform you about the date for the Workshop in Strasbourg (France) on 18 June 2008.

Topic:
Geothermal Electricity and CHP: a technology for our Future’.

10.04.2008
Second Announcement for the Interactive Seminar on Geothermal Field Development

The seminar is to be held on June 9-13, 2008 in Dubrovnik (Croatia). It is an invitation for national associations to join in, work together and eventually collaborate on the flourish geothermal sector.

Contact person: Prof. Kiril POPOVSKI, IGA ERB Officer for Education

More info: see here

09.04.2008
Final Workshop of GROUNDHIT project will be held in Berlin, Germany, on May 5, 2008


The R&D-project Groundhit, coordinated by CRES and supported by EU DG-TREN, comes to a successful end. The advanced ground source heat pumps and borehole heat exchangers have been demonstrated on sites in Austria, Greece and Portugal. After the mid-term workshop in May 2006 in  Brussels (organised by EGEC), which had marked the end of the R&D and start of the demonstration phase, GtV-BV is no inviting to the final workshop in Berlin, Germany.
Please find the program and more info in the invitation flyer, for  download as pdf here

07.04.2008
First announcement for
RESTMAC Workshop in Milano


We are very pleased to inform you about the date for the Workshop in Milano (Italy) on
19 May 2008.

Location:
Casa dell’energia
Topic:
Geothermal Heating & Cooling in Italy & Mediterranean countries: a growing market’.

Both experts and national associations are wholeheartedly invited to present and express their arguments. 
 

04.04.2008

Please find below the links for watching two videos on Geothermal Energy.

1.
http://www.pannelloecologico.com/greentg/video/GTG_280308/mediaplayer.html

Go forward to the 4th minute: A general presentation of EGEC during the Sustainable Energy Week held in Brussels (28/01/2008 – 01/02/2008), in Italian.

2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZmwwoiEUrk

A Reportage on GroundHit demo site in ESTSetubal. Dr.
Burkhard Sanner and Prof. Luis Coelho present the installation and speak about geothermal energy, in Portuguese and English.   

03.04.2008
Reminder for the Workshop in Budapest
(Hungary) on 25 April 2008


We are pleased to remind you our invitation to attend EGEC workshop on
Agriculture and Commercial Applications for Geothermal Heating & Cooling.

The meeting is a part of the RESTMAC project sponsored by the EC – FP6.


Potentialities for agricultural use in Eastern Europe, transport infrastructure, agro-industry perspectives,
greenhouses construction and so on will be some of the main subjects in question.

Experts from Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Romania and Sweden will present the experience gained in that field, and will be available for discussion.

This is your chance to learn about the current development, and how it might be used in your sector and area of responsibility.


Registration required!


You find the conference program and the registration form at:  www.renexpo-budapest.com
 

13.03.2008
Intelligent Energy Europe Call for Proposals open!


The IEE call for proposals 2008 was published on 12 March, opening this year's application period for Intelligent Energy – Europe funding. Some € 45 million are available to co-finance European projects for the promotion of energy efficiency and renewables, and the setting up of local or regional energy agencies.

Successful applicants can expect to receive financial support covering up to 75% of the eligible costs. Any public or private organisation from the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Croatia can apply. Projects must have at least 3 partner organisations from 3 different countries.

Read more at: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/call_for_proposals/index_en.htm

29.02.2008
EuroHeat & Power on February 26, 2008, organised a RTD Convention. The topic was: "Towards a European Technology Platform for District Heating & Cooling”. See presentations on www.euroheat.org 

On behalf of EGEC, Pierre Ungemach attended the event; he made a presentation on "Geothermal in District Heating".

EGEC supports  the initiative to establish a European Technology Platform for District Heating and Cooling as a linking technology for future technologies.

See more here:


A Technology platform for DHC aims at:

-          developing a European vision for the district heating and cooling sectors towards 2020 as well as for 2050

-          developing a common Strategic Research Agenda

-          creating the framework for implementing the Research Agenda

-          increasing the market deployment of DHC

 

More information on geothermal District heating in our brochure > see publications.

More information on the TP structure and working final

24.01.2008
EC Directive proposal on the promotion of the use of renewable energy sources:
 Press Release from the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC); 
the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) and the  Association of the Geological Surveys of Europe (EUROGEOSURVEYS)  jointly prepared further to the publication by the Commission of its Directive proposal on the use of Renewable Energies. here
10.01.2008
EGEC has released a position paper on the definition of Geothermal Energy and wishes for the upcoming proposal of a EU Directive on Renewable Energy Sources: for download here
04.01.2008
EGEC has released a position paper on the Strategy Energy Technology (SET) Plan published by the EC : for download here
03.01.2008
The University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland) is seeking to hire : Full professor in Geothermics
The Institute of Geology and Hydrogeology at the University of  Neuchâtel recruits a specialist in geothermics. The candidate is expected to have a background in geology or engineering geology, with 
a specialization in tectonics or quantitative geology and a specific  experience in deep geothermal reservoirs or in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS).
More information : http://www1.unine.ch/chyn/php/news.php and the announcement (pdf)
16.11.2007
The Annual General Meeting 2007 of EGEC elected a new board, and adopted a new management structure. Burkhard Sanner was re-elected as president, and also most of the board is unchanged. Upon suggestion from the board, the members also appointed coordinators for specific topics, in order to support the board and the Brussels staff in their field of experience; see more here.
The minutes of the Annual General Meeting will be available soon in the member´s section of the website.
31.10.2007
Draft programme for the Workshop "Finance Geothermal Energy" in Brussels on Nov. 16, 2007 is online. Please see events page. The workshop is free, and open to persons from EGEC members and other interested persons. For registration please contact com@egec.org
24.10.2007
Draft program and invitation for EGEC workshop on Geothermal Heat Pumps in Bratislava, Slovakia, on Nov. 12, 2007, is online. Please see events page.
15.10.2007  
EGEC has published the first brochures on geothermal applications within project RESTMAC, supported by EC in FP6. They deal with Geothermal Applications in Agriculture, Geothermal District Heating, Geothermal Seawater Desalination, and Geothermal Snow Melting and De-Icing, and can
be downloaded from the "Publications" page. If you wish to receive printed versions, please contact the EGEC secretariat (email: com@egec.org ).
11.10.2007
New president and new board of IGA (International Geothermal Association) in office. On Oct. 10, Ladislaus Rybach, new president of IGA, took over from John Lund, who has lead IGA very
successfully for the last three years. Read more

"08.10.2007 : In March 2007, European Council signed up to a binding EU-wide target on 20% of RES for 2020. The European Commission is now faced with the challenge of defining new legislation. EC expected to table a proposal for legislation on renewable energies as part of a package for the 5 December 2007.

EREC and its members present their position on the future directive :

Press Release: EREC's position on the Renewable Energy Framework Directive

Press release Position Paper of Framework Directive  and

Position Paper on the Renewable Energy Framework Directive EREC Position Framework Directive"
02.10.2007
EGEC RESTMAC Workshop on Geothermal Snow Melting in Malmö, Sweden
See short report here
Workshop presentations for download here
25.09.2007
The European Parliament responded to the European Commission’s Renewable Energy Roadmap by calling for the upcoming Framework Directive to strengthen existing renewable energy legislation and be accompanied by ambitious legislation on heating and cooling. The "Thomsen Report" adopted today.
Download the related press release from EREC here
Download the draft "Thomsen report" here
20.09.2007
EGEC provided the room in the Renewable Energy House, Brussels, for the meeting of the steering committee in project ENGINE, and for the related stakeholder meeting. More info and photos for download here
Link to the ENGINE project at: http://engine.brgm.fr/
11.09.2007
First announcement and invitation for EGEC workshop on Geothermal Snow Melting in Malmoe, Sweden, on Oct. 2, 2007, is online. Please see events page.
Also the new brochure on Geothermal Snow Melting is available electronically (download here); printed versions will be available at and after the workshop in Malmoe.
11.09.2007 3rd meeting of ministers of the Gleneagles Dialogue in Berlin: Gro Harlem Brundtland praises renewable energies and human ingenuity (read more)
31.7.2007
EGEC News No. 5 now online!
13.07.2007
Reaching 20% of renewable energy by 2020 only feasible if a fast and adequate policy framework is adopted.
Statement by the President of EREC Prof. Arthouros Zervos at the seminar on renewable energy sources organised by the Portuguese Presidency of the EU in Lisbon on 11-12 July 2007. Press release
12.07.2007
Cost of renewable energy 10 times cheaper than "business as usual" fossil-fuelled future ?
. Investing in a renewable electricity future will save 10 times the fuel costs of a "business as usual" fossil-fuelled scenario, saving $180 billion USD annually and cut CO2 emissions in half by 2030, according to a joint report by Greenpeace and the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC). The joint report and Press release can be downloaded: joint report - Press release
25.06.2007
EGEC participated in a meeting with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to know more about their financing opportunites for geothermal projects. Find more information in our member's corner.

-> News Archiv

If EGEC members (and other interested parties) have further topics to be considered,
information requests or suggestions to the board, please feel free to mail them in to
EGEC at:
info@egec.org