Reports And Studies

The European Technology & Innovation Platform on Geothermal (ETIP-G) is pleased to announce the release of its Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Geothermal technologies. This R&I agenda aims to shape the strategic plan for research and innovation (R&I) in the geothermal sector and to outline research priorities for the upcoming decades. The European Union (EU) has implemented several legislative measures to guide the energy transition in the last few years. Geothermal energy is a distinct and pivotal form of renewable energy, and its capabilities encompass electric generation, heating, cooling, hot water provision and thermal underground storage for short and seasonal storage. The imperative to respond effectively to the climate crisis, ensure energy supply resilience, and offer accessible energy necessitates our journey toward a climate-neutral economy by 2050.  To be successful in these endeavours, R&I of improved next-generation geothermal systems and technologies are key for new applications, markets, and meeting deployment in the EU for the 2050 milestone. The Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) recommends actions and research priorities that should be addressed to achieve the key technological and transversal challenges that could make the vision a solid reality between now and 2050. “The ETIP geothermal members have done immense work to write this Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda on geothermal technologies. I want to thank all of them. The merger with the RHC-Plaform geothermal panel from 2023 has even strengthened the power of the ETIP and made it a unique and relevant platform for geothermal R&I. Developing these technologies will make geothermal the key energy source of the transition towards climate neutrality by 2050. Geothermal technologies are a solution for the electricity system, the heating and cooling supply, the system integration with thermal underground storage, and the sustainable extraction of minerals such as lithium. Geothermal will support local economic development and security of energy supply in a sustainable way.” Fausto Batini, ETIP Geothermal President. The SET Plan Geothermal IWG estimates that current annual investment, both public and private, in national and transnational research and innovation projects in the geothermal sector needs to be tripled from €100 million to €300 million by 2030 in order for Europe to reach its goals on transitioning to renewable energy sources. This is in line with the ambitions and the potential for geothermal energy. Therefore, ETIP Geothermal would like to request more funding for geothermal research and innovation in WP 2025 – 2027 in order to properly implement the key climate & energy, and industrial policies. Download the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Geothermal.

This Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) on geothermal heating and cooling technologies constitutes an update and blending text of the previous Geothermal Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) and subsequent Geothermal Implementation Roadmap.

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Geothermal heat pumps are an established technology that uses shallow geothermal energy, the heat stored beneath the earth surface, to supply space heating and cooling and sanitary hot water. They are very versatile and can be used in different kind of structures, from small, residential houses to large individual buildings or complexes of buildings, such as offices, hotels, schools, shopping centres, and so on.

The High-Level Conference of the Global Geothermal Alliance was a significant step that signaled the importance of geothermal for the transition towards clean energy. This meaningful event discussed in depth the main barriers faced by the geothermal sector, leading to a commitment shared by many governments to pursue a greater ambition for geothermal development.  Click here to download the presentation by EGEC President Ruggero Bertani on “Strengthening enabling frameworks: Geothermal policy, regulation and finance”.