GeoAtlantic Project – Promoting geothermal energy utilisation in the Atlantic Area regions

View over Almeria, Spain (source: flickr/ Roberto, creative commons)

Alexander Richter 8 Nov 2018

One of the objectives of the EU Energy Strategy is to move beyond an economy based on fossil fuels. The new directive on renewable energy proposes as a binding target for the UE that at least 27% of its energy comes from renewable sources by 2030. Many of the changes that this transition involves will be noticed in cities and municipalities.

In combination with technologies, renewable sources can supply the demand for heat and cold, which is half of the final energy demand in Europe. And there is still more to advance in energy production.

“An appropiate economic and political environment is required, in order to advance in research, innovate, explore, design, finance, build and start up geothermal energy installations” (EGEC 2015).

As part of that the GeoAtlantic project is to directly contribute to European strategies to promote sustainable and smart growth, based on endogenous resources of the Atlantic regions. Geothermal energy, especially in electricity production, is still new in most of the Atlantic Area regions and it is a field to explore.

Only part of the potential of geothermal energy is being exploited. Increasing its use and strengthening the geothermal industry will allow a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions.

Geothermal energy is a local source of energy, which produces electricity and heat for cities and rural communities or for uses such as agriculture. It enables a decentralised approach, empowers the consumer and chooses a more democratic energy model.

In the participating territories, projects of this type have not yet been promoted or are being studied, so the network of partners will act as a catalyst for innovative solutions for the supply of local energy based on endogenous renewable resources and which will reduce the impact on CO2 production.

GeoAtlantic is focusing on several key activities:

• Bench: seeking to promote the knowledge of initiatives, technologies and the latest advances to boost local ecosystems in favour of the energy transition and to promote the available geothermal energy and the most appropriate solutions at a local level in the Atlantic Arc.
• Capacity: aiming to train communities and local authorities, through training and advice at different levels, to give an effective response from the energy point of view to the threat posed by climate change and the construction of a new energy model.
• Innovation & Business: Research and transfer skills and capacities at the local level will be promoted to strengthen the geothermal energy sector chain.
• Local Action: Promotion of local policy frameworks and joint support instruments among the different agents and stakeholders in the Atlantic Area to promote the energy transition and the promotion of geothermal energy.

Part of the project are regions in the Atlantic Area of the European Union in Spain, Portugal, France, the UK, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

The project is now holding four courses to promote the emergence of geothermal energy in Gironde/ France on November 27, 2018. Further details here, and here (in French).

Sources: GeoAtlantic.eu