EU Commissioner: geothermal development should be encouraged

EU flags, Brussels/ Belgium (source: flickr/ Ingvar_Sverrisson, creative commons)

Alexander Richter 28 Nov 2012

The European geothermal energy industry urges decision makers to pay more attention to the potential role of geothermal energy in heating and cooling for green urban development.

In a speech at the European Workshop on geothermal energy in urban areas, EU Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger concluded “The development of geothermal energy should be encouraged. ”

The event, held last week in Brussels, has served to put the spotlight on the contribution that the heat of the Earth can make to Europe’s energy mix and the role that this source can play in modern cities. A role in which he is convinced the Commissioner, a strong supporter of this technology in the future European energy and its urban centers. If properly encouraged, geothermal energy can, in fact, provide electricity, heating and cooling in a continuous manner, with the ability to create underground thermal storage systems that are well suited to the concept of smart city.

The geothermal industry has, however, now more than ever need “of a clear regulatory framework for investing in new equipment, such as drilling,” said Philippe Dumas, director at the Council of European Geothermal ( EGEC – European Geothermal Energy Council ). ” And that is why we are asking for new binding targets for renewable energy beyond 2020. “

Dumas also noted that “policy makers, local authorities and utilities have become more aware of the range of the geothermal resource and their possible applications.” the EGEC also took the opportunity to urge the European Union, currently to work on an internal report on renewable energy, to ensure greater transparency in relation to the costs of each energy technology, evaluating the key bottlenecks for the further development of the geothermal sector.”

Source: Rinnovabili (Italian)