Dedicated Sessions Geothermal

In the present context of Energy Transition in Europe and Worldwide, harnessing Geothermal Energy appears as a valuable option to improve Energy production Mix by exploiting an abundant and yet neglected clean source of Energy. In the light of recent and various endeavors, we can get a grasp of the actual difficulty of this task. Projects must cope with both economic and socio-environmental imperatives enforced by state regulators that are not necessarily easy to conciliate. To be able to genuinely push geothermal energy at scale, a fit for purpose approach appears to be necessary. Contrary to other types of power plants, geothermal energy needs to be placed strategically, reusing already available hydrogeological assets, and bringing heat directly to the end consumers, without necessarily converting it to electricity on the way. Careful geophysical and hydrogeological studies of prospects must also be carried out to assess the impact of long-term productions from a seismic and environmental point of view. More Data and Case studies are necessary to really start identifying standard designs reusable at European scale. Case Studies selected for this technical session feature projects that boldly explore new options, successful or not but that anyway provide valuable insights to redefine best practices for this industry field.