Developing a single access point for the market uptake of geothermal energy use in multivalent heating and cooling networks across Europe

Project Information

SAPHEA

Grant agreement ID: 101075510

DOI

10.3030/101075510

Project closed

EC signature date 29 July 2022

Start date 1 October 2022

End date 30 June 2025

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 1 929 882,50

EU contribution

€ 1 929 882,50

Coordinated by

GEOSPHERE AUSTRIA - BUNDESANSTALT FUR GEOLOGIE, GEOPHYSIK, KLIMATOLOGIE UND METEOROLOGIE
Austria

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SAPHEA (Developing a single access point for the market uptake of geothermal energy use in multivalent heating and cooling networks across Europe)

Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The SAPHEA project (HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-02, Grant Agreement No. 101075510) was launched to accelerate the deployment of geothermal heating and cooling (geoHC) networks across Europe. As the EU intensifies efforts to decarbonize the heating and cooling sector, SAPHEA addressed the urgent need for integrated planning tools, stakeholder engagement strategies, and policy frameworks that support the uptake of geoHC technologies. The project recognized that while geothermal energy offers a stable, renewable, and low-carbon solution, its implementation is often hindered by fragmented data, complex regulatory environments, and limited awareness among local decision-makers.

SAPHEA’s overarching objective was to empower regional and municipal actors with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to make informed decisions about geoHC investments. It aimed to bridge the gap between technical feasibility and real-world implementation by developing a suite of decision-support instruments, spatial datasets, business models, and policy recommendations. The project also sought to foster societal acceptance and build capacity among future geoHC stakeholders, ensuring that geothermal energy becomes a viable and inclusive component of Europe’s energy transition.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Over its 33-month duration, SAPHEA delivered a comprehensive set of outputs across seven work packages. Key achievements include:

Market Uptake Hub (MUH): A digital single-access-point platform hosted on gogeothermal.eu providing access to all SAPHEA tools, datasets, guidelines, and training materials. It serves as a long-term consultancy and competence platform for geoHC planning.

Techno-Economic Toolbox: An open-source GIS-based toolbox integrating two core calculation modules—GEOPHIRES for deep hydro-geothermal systems and LSGEOHP for large-scale heat pump configurations. The toolbox supports early-stage investment decisions and was validated in the participating case study areas.

Spatial Datasets and Documentation: SAPHEA compiled and published more than 10 pan-European datasets on geoscientific and social criteria, all compliant with FAIR principles. These datasets are accessible via Zenodo and the MUH, and are accompanied by detailed data preparation guidelines.

Business and Financing Models: Six blueprints for geoHC business models were developed and validated by over 15 stakeholders. These include innovative approaches such as Energy-as-a-Service and public-backed loan guarantees, tailored to different regional contexts.

Interactive Gamebook: A “Choose Your Adventure” digital guideline that simulates geoHC planning scenarios. It offers a user-friendly interface for exploring strategic decisions and is designed for both self-learning and structured training.

Policy Recommendations and Roadmaps: SAPHEA produced science-based policy briefs and regional development roadmaps for six European countries, each featuring both developed and underdeveloped geothermal areas. These outputs support long-term planning and policy alignment.

Demonstrator GIS Tool: An interactive application showcasing over 50 geoHC case studies across Europe, enabling users to visualize technical, economic, and social data in a spatial context.

In addition to these technical outputs, SAPHEA conducted 17 training events, reaching nearly 700 participants from academia, industry, public administration, and civil society. The project also engaged in extensive dissemination through webinars, conferences, national workshops, and social media campaigns.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

SAPHEA’s integrated approach to geoHC planning represents a significant advancement over existing tools and methodologies. The project’s innovations include:

Interoperable Decision-Support Environment: The SAPHEA toolbox combines spatial data handling, techno-economic modeling, and scenario planning in a single platform. Its modular design allows users to customize inputs and outputs, facilitating both rapid screening and detailed analysis.

Pan-European Financial Mapping: SAPHEA conducted the first EU-wide mapping of financing schemes and de-risking instruments for geoHC networks. This dataset supports strategic investment planning and highlights opportunities for public-private partnerships.

Socio-Environmental Assessment Tools: The project developed a political readiness evaluation scheme and a set of KPIs for assessing the societal sustainability of geoHC projects. These tools help stakeholders understand and address community perceptions, regulatory barriers, and environmental impacts.

Interactive Learning Formats: The Gamebook and online tutorials transform complex planning processes into accessible, scenario-based learning experiences. These formats are particularly effective for engaging non-experts and fostering cross-sectoral dialogue.

Open Science and FAIR Data Compliance: All SAPHEA outputs—including code, datasets, documentation, and training materials—are published under open licenses and hosted on platforms like GitHub, Zenodo, and the MUH. This ensures transparency, reproducibility, and long-term usability.

By integrating technical, economic, regulatory, and social dimensions into a cohesive planning framework, SAPHEA sets a new benchmark for geothermal energy deployment in Europe.

developed scheme for geoDHC networks

Logo of the project