Wedoany.com Report on Feb 11th, The Earth's interior harbors immense thermal energy, which manifests through surface phenomena such as hot springs, geysers, or volcanoes, providing a continuous power source for the energy transition. Unlike solar and wind energy, which depend on weather conditions, geothermal energy offers the advantage of stable supply, helping to enhance grid reliability.
According to a recent report from the energy think tank Ember, geothermal energy could theoretically replace 42% of the EU's coal and natural gas power generation at comparable costs. The report notes that new technologies are expanding the scope of geothermal development, moving it beyond traditional geologically active areas. Ember policy advisor Tatiana Mindeková stated, "We cannot say all of this will be utilized, but the volume is significant enough to make policymakers and investors more interested, even in Europe and beyond traditional hotspots."
Historically, geothermal development has been constrained by geological conditions, requiring sufficient heat near the surface or drilling to greater depths, which increased costs and complexity. However, enhanced or advanced geothermal technologies, through deep drilling and rock fracturing, create new permeability, expanding economically viable development areas. Mindeková added, "With these new technologies, we can actually broaden the economically feasible scope of geothermal energy."
Although these technologies face challenges, such as higher costs and operational difficulties due to increased drilling depths, tools and techniques from the oil and gas industry are supporting geothermal systems. Wayne Bezner Kerr, head of the Earth Source Heat project at Cornell University, pointed out, "Any time you drill deeper, the difficulty increases. Costs are higher, challenges are greater." Geothermal development must also consider factors like geothermal gradients, geological conditions, and water resources, all of which impact project feasibility and efficiency.
As geothermal energy sees wider application, efficiency is expected to improve, and costs may decrease. David Victor, co-director of the Deep Decarbonization Initiative at UC San Diego, said, "As we see more geothermal deployment in Europe, we will see this lowering the cost of innovation for many other applications worldwide." In the EU, geothermal energy can not only be used for power generation but also, through shallow projects like networked geothermal systems, provide heating and cooling for households, meeting over three-quarters of energy needs.
Networked geothermal systems utilize the constant temperature underground, achieving efficient energy cycles through heat pumps. Furthermore, geothermal energy can serve as an energy storage method, complementing the intermittency of wind and solar power by storing heat underground to enhance grid stability. Mindeková concluded, "We are trying to emphasize that this is also an opportunity for people working in these industries to transfer knowledge, skills, and find future employment opportunities in this new sector." The future development of geothermal energy, both in the EU and beyond, is showing broad prospects with the aid of technological advancements.
