Geothermal energy is a natural, underground renewable resource that is common in many countries around the world, with considerable variations in terms of the depth of occurrence and quality of the source (temperature, flow rate, mineralisation). However, in many European countries, these medium and low-temperature resources can be used in heating systems, provided that the supply and return temperatures in district heating networks are sufficiently low. Indeed, the lower the water supply and return temperatures in the heating circuit, the more geothermal heat can be used as the base load energy source.
Through our project we aim to demonstrate the benefits and promote technological solutions, the beneficiaries of which will be both heating system operators and heat end-users. These solutions are based on increasing energy efficiency, e.g. by lowering the supply and return temperature in heating systems. This requires at the same time increasing the heating surfaces in households of the existing heat recipients, or the use of modern technological solutions among newly build buildings, which will allow the use of low-temperature solutions.
The project involves partners from Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary with practical support from Icelandic and Norwegian research institutions. The extensive experience of the experts, both in the area of the utilisation of geothermal resources and energy efficiency, will allow us to demonstrate a number of benefits resulting from lowering the required supply and return temperatures. Our objectives are a long-term improvement in the efficiency of geothermal operations and a decrease in their environmental footprint: direct contributions to a less carbon-intensive and more energy secure economy in Europe. Moving towards low-carbon and energy secure economies necessitates the use of renewables on the one hand, and, maintaining a good status of the environment on the other