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Shaping the future of flexible geothermal energy

Project description

Pioneering flexible and efficient geothermal energy solutions

Amidst increasing energy demands, conventional systems struggle to meet efficiency standards while minimising environmental impact. Geothermal energy, a promising alternative, faces challenges of rigidity and inefficiency, hindering widespread adoption. With this in mind, the EU-funded FlexGeo project aims to revolutionise the geothermal energy landscape. By developing modular reversible ORC systems and advanced control strategies, FlexGeo seeks to maximise performance and flexibility, paving the way for a sustainable energy future. Specifically, a 200 kW electrical ORC unit, equipped with advanced tools, will set a new standard in district heating systems. With high- and low-temperature Underground Thermal Energy Storage and advanced closed-loop systems, FlexGeo charts a path towards widespread adoption across Europe.

Objective

FlexGeo aims to develop innovative geothermal energy system designs for maximized systems performance and flexibility. Pathing the way for the market entry of commercial modular reversible ORC systems will be, together with advanced smart control strategies and operational tools, the backbone of our concept. The proposed key-innovations will make geothermal systems more flexible, more efficient, more economically viable and adaptable for an implementation and market update across Europe and beyond. A modular rev. 200 kWel ORC unit with advanced control strategies and operational tool will be installed and demonstrated at a real district heating system at the TUM Campus in Garching, Germany. The first-time demonstration of this innovative technology on a TRL 7 level will directly path the way to its market entry after the project, since due to the attractive modular approach, the demonstrator already has the same capacity as the future commercial product. Furthermore, innovative geothermal system designs considering high- and low-temperature Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) systems, advanced closed-loop systems (AGS) and enhanced flexibility of district heating (DH) and district cooling (DC) networks (DHCN), are pathing the way to a broad spread of the FlexGeo solutions across Europe and the world, resulting in largescale CO2 emission reductions.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-02

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Coordinator

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN
Net EU contribution
€ 1 197 912,50
Address
Arcisstrasse 21
80333 Muenchen
Germany
Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 1 197 912,50

Participants (10)

Partners (1)