The GEOTHERMICA ERA-NET Cofund (GEOTHERMICA) was a five-year action financed under the European Union's Horizon 2020 Programme for Research and Innovation. This action, operating from January 2017 to December 2021, builds on the work of the GEOTHERMAL European Research Area Network (GEOTHERMAL ERA-NET), which started in 2012 and ended in November 2016 GEOTHERMICA has benefitted from financing from the European Union (EU), and the European Commission (EC) and has two principal aims—first, providing funding for transnational innovative geothermal energy projects related to direct use and power generation from geothermal resources in an optimised way, which includes integrated and combined systems (e.g. heat pumps, other forms of renewable energy, and using the underground as a heating and cooling energy storage site). The second aim is to facilitate and promote the coordination of European research programs and managers engaged in supporting geothermal energy research and innovation.
Geothermal energy is a valuable and local source of energy that can cost-effectively provide baseload/dispatchable electricity, heat or a combination of both. With these features, it has the potential to offer real alternatives to fossil fuel-based power plants and fossil fuel-based heating and cooling not only in Europe but also globally. There is great potential for the supply of geothermal energy for heating in Europe and elsewhere. Additionally, geothermal reservoirs may act as sites for energy and CO2 storage. Research and innovation focused on improving technology and its incorporation into the energy system can unlock the full spectrum of geothermal's potential. In this way, geothermal energy (together with underground heat storage) will become one of the key options for the transition towards a 100% renewable heat supply in Europe.
The potential impact of the GEOTHERMICA network consists of increased cooperation among co-funded projects, organisations and individuals. GEOTHERMICA has established a broad reach within the geothermal community through its communication channels and an active and effective engagement programme between policymakers, EC, industry and the research community.
