EU support for geothermal energy

Funding research

Research and technology plays a key role, particularly in the development of the Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), which allow the exploitation of the Earth's heat for producing electricity without having natural water resources.

Since 2002 (FP6), the EU funded around 10 projects with a total budget of more than EUR 20 million. In particular, the flagship project EGS Pilot Plant, which culminated in the construction of a scientific pilot plant based on an Enhanced Geothermal System, was awarded EUR 5 million. Under the current 7th Framework Programme (2007-2013) research is funded for advancing knowledge in understanding and mitigating of induced seismicity associated with geothermal field development.

Funding opportunities

Geothermal energy is an important area with significant potential for renewable electricity production and is being further supported under the current Framework Programme (FP7). For more information on current open topics please click here.

 

Research projects

Results

Results and descriptions of EU funded research projects on geothermal energy can be found in the "Funded Projects" section of this website (projects from 2002 until now).

 

Examples of EU funded projects

European Geothermal project for the construction of a scientific pilot plant based on an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS Pilot Plant)

The main objective of the project is to set up the world's first geothermal pilot plant or Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS). The project started in 2004 and has so far resulted in the creation of three 5 000 m deep wells using improved drilling, simulation and diagnostic methods. In January 2008, work began on the above-ground installations required to convert terrestrial heat into electrical power.

The project will culminate in the installation and operation of a 1.5 MW geothermal power plant, situated along the French-German border in Soultz-Sous-Forêts. The plant will be used to test the performance of the selected equipment in order to establish preferences for technical and economical gains for future larger industrial EGS installations (25 MW and larger) based on a multi-well approach. Moreover, the plant will be made available as a training facility to other European EGS teams.

EGS Pilot Plant is funded under the 6th Framework Programme and is run by a consortium composed of nine partners from three different Member States and one associated country (Norway). The EC contribution covers EUR 5 million of the total costs envisaged for the whole duration of the projects, equal to EUR 26 million.

For more information please consult the project's website.

 

• Read more about how the EU stimulates cooperation in the area of geothermal energy.

Working together

Financial support is however only one aspect of EU activity. Equally important is the element of bringing together different organisations from Europe and other parts of the world that are active in the same scientific area. By working together on projects they exchange experiences, create links and can continue cooperation even after the project has finished. Thus they contribute to the creation of a European Research Area.

As energy challenges are global, cooperation goes beyond the borders of the EU. Cooperation takes place on a bilateral level between the EU and partner countries and in a multilateral framework through the International Energy Agency (IEA) and other multilateral initiatives. The European Commission contributes to the five-year programme set up by the IEA, called Geothermal Energy Implementing Agreement, which provides a framework for international collaboration on geothermal issues. The Agreement facilitates the coordination of geothermal research, development and demonstration through international co-operation and information exchange.

More information on international cooperation between the EU and other countries and regions in energy research can be found on the International cooperation section of this website.

 

Read more about the current state and future prospects of geothermal energy.