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UNECE report with 14 case studies on UNFC classification of geothermal resources in 14 countries

UNECE report with 14 case studies on UNFC classification of geothermal resources in 14 countries Screenshot of UNECE report
Alexander Richter 7 Dec 2017

A report has been released by UNECE with 14 case studies on the applications of United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) to geothermal energy from Australia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines and Russian Federation.

The United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) was developed under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, by a dedicated community of experts drawn from a range of fields, but with the common goal to develop an internationally applicable scheme for the classification, reporting and management of energy and mineral resources.

In the past, different energy and raw material sectors, as well as countries, adopted a range of approaches to classify and manage resources. New challenges to the production, distribution and utilization of energy and raw materials have, however, emerged in recent years that demand innovative approaches for an integrated resource management system. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development defines a clear pathway to address these challenges in a holistic manner.

The United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) was initially developed for the mineral and petroleum sectors, but has recently expanded its scope to include renewable energy. Growing awareness and interest in renewable energy resources, including geothermal resources, has highlighted a need to standardize the way in which renewable energy potential is classified and reported.

To facilitate improved global communication in the geothermal sector, the ECE Expert Group on Resource Classification, under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding between the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the International Geothermal Association (IGA), developed specifications for applying UNFC to geothermal energy resources. The specifications were issued in September 2016.

Now UNFC has issued the report: “Application of UNFC to Geothermal Energy Resources – Selected Case Studies (ECE ENERGY SERIES No. 51)“.

The publication includes a set of 14 case studies on the applications of United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) to geothermal energy from Australia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines and Russian Federation. The case studies are presented here to illustrate the application of the geothermal energy specifications for the uniform use of UNFC in different contexts.

These application examples from different countries provide a range of scenarios in the classification of geothermal resources in a manner consistent with the classification of other energy resources.

Document can be downloaded here (pdf).

Source: UNECE