Following the endorsement of the Deep Geothermal Implementation Plan (DG-IP) by the SET-Plan Steering Group, a Deep Geothermal Implementation Working Group (DG-IWG) is being established to advance the DG-IP, with the aim of reaching collectively the technology targets that will place Europe at the forefront of the next generation of low carbon technologies. The objective of this project proposal is to create a support unit for the DG-IWG to achieve its goals efficiently and productively. The support unit will have three main work streams, 1) to provide the DG-IWG with relevant information and data from the various stakeholder groups to support the decisionmaking process and the implementations actions of DG-IWG on required actions; 2) to promote and organise initiatives to mobilize growth of and implementation within the geothermal community, e.g.: workshops, brokerages, consortium building and exploitation of RD&I results; 3) provide a secretariat for the DG-IWG for assistance on administrative issues and synergies & strategy support. The consortium will push forward a broad mobilisation of the Geothermal community to implement the action in the IP. Furthermore the project will focus on the development of synergies and strategies. New ways will be explored to maximize the impact of knowledge, funding and market growth at european, national and regional scale. This aproach supports to creation of a durable and long-lasting R&I ecosystem in the different Member-Sates and regions. The partners will focus on a multi-actor, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach. As such the project will support the collaboration and networking among representatives of the triple helix (research, industry and government) at the regional and national level and with their counterparts from the Horizon 2020 Associated Countries.

The overarching objective of the new ETIP-“Deep Geothermal” is to enable deep geothermal technology, in particular Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), to proliferate and move from the current European R&D and pilot-sites to other European countries and different geological situations. The primary objective is overall cost reduction, including social, environmental and technological costs. The Geothermal ETIP is an open stakeholder group, including representatives from industry, academia, research centres, and sectoral associations, covering the entire deep geothermal energy exploration, production and utilization value chain. The European Technology and Innovation Platforms (ETIPs) have been recently recognised by the EC as a tool to strengthen cooperation with Stakeholders under the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan), as part of the H2020 programme. The geothermal sector created an European Technology and Innovation Platform on Deep Geothermal in March 2016, and the European Commission, DG RTD, officially recognised it as an ETIP in July 2016. A Geothermal Forum of stakeholders, including large companies, SMEs, academia and research institutions has been convened in March 2016. Terms of Reference (ToR) to establish the governance and procedures of the Geothermal ETIP were adopted in June 2016. This proposal aims at assisting the mission of Deep geothermal ETIP.

This proposal aims at supporting the work which has been carried out by the secretariat of the European Technology and Innovation Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling since 2011. The role of the secretariat is to assist the stakeholders of the RHC-ETIP in coordinating activities related to the definition and implementation of an innovation strategy to increase the use of renewable energy sources for heating and cooling, and to foster the growth and the market uptake of the relevant industries. The secretariat provides support to the structure of the RHC-ETIP, by organising meetings, events, and relevant consultations, and by assisting with the preparation of relevant documents (both of technical and of political nature) to raise the profile and importance of the renewable heating and cooling sector, and its related technologies. This proposal also addresses the need to enlarge the membership of the RHC-ETIP by involving more closely national policy makers, as well as other relevant stakeholders (related industries, and socio-economic experts) in its work. By supporting interactions between several stakeholders representing industry, research and academia, from different renewable heating and cooling technologies, and by gradually including complementary sectors and expertise, the SecRHC-ETIP will assist the RHC sector in strengthening its growth and competitiveness both vis-à-vis traditional heating and cooling technologies, as well as with respect to competitors coming from non-EU countries.

In order to decarbonise the power, heating, and transport sectors and reach a climate neutrality by 2050, Europe needs a wide range of renewable technologies, including geothermal systems. Geothermal will be a key energy source in the European decarbonized energy mix. Indeed, geothermal is a unique energy source that can provide a significant share of electricity, heating and cooling, thermal storage and minerals such as lithium in 2022 and beyond. It is a source of energy which is renewable, local and continuously available as it is not dependent on climate conditions. Europe has pioneered the exploitation of geothermal resources for over a century and the EU still maintains a leading role due to research, innovation and the development of new technologies allowing the production of geothermal power as well as heating and cooling everywhere. In this proposal, the project GEOTHERM-FORA aims at facilitating Research and Innovation (R&I) activities in geothermal systems by supporting the workResearch, development, and innovation (RD&I) are needed to develop renewable technologies, accompanied by market uptake measures. Major investments in geothermal research and innovation are necessary to develop and deploy the next generation of geothermal technologies and answering the challenges for the transformation of our energy system towards a decarbonisation of our economy. Research, development, and innovation (RD&I) are needed to develop renewable technologies, accompanied by market uptake measures. Major investments in geothermal research and innovation are necessary to develop and deploy the next generation of geothermal technologies and to answer the challenges for the transformation of our energy system towards a decarbonisation of our economy.