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SuperHot geothermal – Integrated demonstration and Flow Testing

Objective

Conventional geothermal exploits shallow reservoirs at 2–3 km depth and 240–330 °C, while far larger resources remain untapped in superhot (>400 °C) formations. The SHiFT project will unlock next generation of geothermal energy by demonstrating, first time worldwide, sustainable power generation from superhot geothermal (SHG) reservoirs. Building on pioneering results from Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP) and EU-funded initiatives, SHiFT will integrate advanced drilling, well completion, flow testing, and surface conversion technologies to raise SHG systems from TRL 5 to TRL 7 through a first-of-a-kind demonstration. SHiFT will validate three SHG utilisation strategies: (i) direct production of superhot fluids, (ii) reinjection into superhot reservoirs, and (iii) coupled production–reinjection supported by stimulation. These will be tested through drilling and operation of IDDP-3 at Nesjavellir and well pairs in Hengill field, ensuring full-scale demonstration under real reservoir conditions. A key innovation is drilling: SHiFT will deliver novel well designs and robust drilling strategies able to withstand extreme thermal, pressure, and chemical stresses. Building on AI tools from OptiDrill, it will deploy a physics-informed AI drilling advisory system and real-time AI magma-proximity alarm, both demonstrated with a human–machine interface under operational SHG conditions, and aligned with EU AI Act, FAIR, and GDPR. By de-risking SHG deployment and validating multiple production strategies, SHiFT will show that accessing deeper and hotter formations can yield several-fold higher output per well than conventional geothermal. This anchors European technology leadership, reduce costs, and position SHG as a competitive pillar of the EU energy mix. In line with the IEA outlook, SHiFT will provide first-of-a-kind evidence enabling SHG to contribute substantially to Europe’s electricity supply by 2050, reinforcing EU energy security, sustainability and competitiveness

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2025-02

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Coordinator

ORKUVEITA REYKJAVIKUR SF
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 4 950 000,00
Address
BAEJARHALS 1
110 Reykjavik
Iceland

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Region
Ísland Ísland Höfuðborgarsvæði
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 17 895 865,00

Participants (16)

Partners (1)