GEOENVI looks into harmonizing existing regulations with LCA methodology by analyzing environmental impacts of geothermal plants in different geological settings throughout their lifetime. Simplified models which are suitable for pre-determined geothermal categorization have been developed, thus enabling less complex LCA assessment, with an acceptable degree of uncertainty. All stakeholders, such as decision makers, public institutions, and economic actors were involved in the development. This allowed LCA assessment to be more integrated in the construction and implementation of regulations. Though leaving flexibility to adapt to the energy profile of different countries, and allowing an objective benchmarking with respect to other renewable energy technologies, the proposed approach established correct rules for the environmental costing of the two main outputs (electricity and heat) depending on the plant arrangement and on the general context. Collateral benefits to the project are the familiarization of life cycle thinking to a larger population, which in turns will bring its own socio-economic gain.
GEOENVI aimed at engaging with both decision-makers and geothermal market actors, to adopt recommendations on regulations and to see the LCA methodology implemented by geothermal stakeholders. The engagement with stakeholders included sharing of knowledge by adopting an open and FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) data approach. The aim was to contribute to the development of a calm, transparent and trustworthy climate to discuss environmental concerns, thus favouring a solid deployment of future projects.
Regarding the objective to produce a reference framework for market actors to remove environmental concerns, a toolbox including tools and adapted methodologies on environmental impact assessments of geothermal energy projects, using a life cycle assessment approach has been launched. This toolbox is made available and was presented to decision-makers and market actors. This project has engaged the stakeholders and economic actors involved in operating or ongoing projects, with the intention to issue the robust recommendations of harmonized methods, which can later be implemented more efficiently. To ensure the practicability of the recommendations, these methods have been tested in selected areas, and the aim was then to replicate them across Europe. By achieving this objective, the GEOENVI project contributed to the progress of ongoing deep geothermal projects and future projects.
Overall, the objective to have a positive impact of the project was reached. The GEOENVI project allowed to provide science based information on environmental regulations for the climate &energy package 2030 and the EU Green Deal, on LCA for the sustainable finance. This gave the opportunity to the geothermal market to continue its deployment even further.
