SUFRAGE project to accelerate geothermal development in France-Switzerland border region

The SUFRAGE project was recently launched in Geneva, bringing together five French and Swiss partners to accelerate the development of geothermal energy on both sides of the France-Switzerland border. This is part of the Interreg France-Switzerland project and has a total funding of CHF 2.4 million (approx. USD 2.8 million). It will run until 31 December 2028.

The project is co-led by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Énergie Environnement (AURA-EE) and Géothermie-Suisse. Joining the project are French partners Bourgogne-Franche-Comté energy cluster and Syane and Swiss partners Hydro-Géo Environnement and GEOTEST.

SUFRAGE is co-financed by the European Union, via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), within the framework of the Interreg France-Switzerland program. It also benefits from the support of Interreg funds from the Swiss Confederation, the cantons of Geneva, Bern and Vaud and the Geneva Industrial Services (SIG).

The principle of the project is based on the different but complementary strengths of both sides on different types of geothermal development. Switzerland has established expertise in drilling geothermal probes, while France has extensive experience in groundwater and deep geothermal energy. Rather than having the two countries progress separately, SUFRAGE facilitates the sharing of knowledge, skills, best practices, and tools to bring these two ecosystems closer together.

To achieve this, the project is structured around four components.

• Managing and promoting the project: coordination of the consortium and visual and digital communication.
• Better understanding of the geothermal potential of the subsoil: 2D and 3D mapping of the subsoil of the French Geneva area, updating of the geological and hydrogeological model of the Franco-Swiss Geneva basin, and creation of cadastres of the potential of the aquifers on the French side, inspired by the methods developed in Switzerland.
• Empowering stakeholders to facilitate the development of geothermal projects: analysis of regulatory, economic, technical and certification-related barriers; organization of workshops, webinars and site visits; support for companies towards qualifications or cross-border partnerships; and creation of a digital platform for monitoring installations.
• Informing and mobilizing professionals, project owners and communities: organisation of cross-border events and webinars, survey of municipalities, facilitation of awareness workshops and formulation of recommendations on public consultation.

At the end of the project, the expected results are as follows:

• A better understanding of the subsoil: mapping of groundwater and modeling of the subsoil of the French Geneva region.
• A guide for the shallow geothermal sector: a comparison of the regulatory and economic contexts in France and Switzerland, to facilitate projects in the neighbouring country.
• Better management of installations: a digital platform for monitoring shallow geothermal installations, to improve their performance.
• New opportunities for professionals: networking between French and Swiss players, and support for companies to develop their geothermal projects on the other side of the border.
• Awareness-raising activities: events and webinars aimed at communities and professionals, to promote geothermal energy and disseminate the results of SUFRAGE.

Source: EE News and Geothermie Suisse