The Prospects of the European Geothermal Sector Were Outlined by the GEOFAR Conference in Athens

The GEOFAR consortium with the support of Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) organized a two day conference in Athens, Greece on March 17-18, 2011 in order to discuss the latest developments in the geothermal energy sector and to present some innovative ideas that the GEOFAR project has put forward for the development of geothermal energy and its various applications in Europe. The “GEOFAR: Innovative Solutions for Geothermal Energy Financing” conference, which was held by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE) took place in “Electra Palace Hotel” (18-20 N. Nikodimou Street, Plaka), with the participation of more than 90 specialists, professionals and officials of the European geothermal sector.

The conference analyzed the role of geothermal energy within the framework of the “2020” EU targets, as well as the significant geothermal potential of Southern, Central and Western Europe. There was also thorough discussion on the latest developments on geothermal energy, as well as presentations of successful geothermal case studies and innovative ideas on funding of geothermal investments in Europe.The speakers of this GEOFAR conference included experts and academics of the geothermal energy sector, researchers from energy institutes, as well as representatives of European enterprises active in the geothermal sector.

The first session, on Thursday, March 17, focused on the role of geothermal energy in the context of EU’s RES policy. The conference opened with introductory remarks by Mr. Costis Stambolis (Executive Director, IENE, Greece) and Mr. George Georganas (Project Coordinator, Energo Group, Greece), who spoke on behalf of the President of Energo Group, Ms. Vassiliki Douka.

There were also welcome addresses by Mr. Philippe Dumas (European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC), Belgium) and Prof. Emerit. Michael Fytikas (President, Association of Greek Geothermal Specialists (AGGS), Thessaloniki, Greece). The Keynote Address, on the objectives, the scope and the European dimension of the GEOFAR Project, was delivered by Mr. Marco Wendel (GEOFAR Project Coordinator, Erlangen AG, Germany). The session concluded with the showing of a video documentary, a sort of introduction on geothermal energy prepared by IENE.

The next session focused on the geothermal country profiles in Southern and Western Europe, co-coordinated by Mr. John Chadjivasiliadis (Independent Consultant & Head of IENE’s RES Committee). Prof. Nikolaos Andritsos (University of Thessaly), presented the status of geothermal energy in Greece. The Spanish geothermal energy sector was the topic of the presentation of Mr. Celestino Garcia Noceda (Project Coordinator, IGME, Spain), followed by Ms. Adeline Poux (Project Coordinator, BRGM, France), who focused on the geothermal energy sector in France. The Bulgarian geothermal energy sector was presented by Mr. Angel Semerdzhiev (President, Bulgarian Geothermal Association, Bulgaria), whereas the presentation of the Portuguese geothermal sector was delivered by Mr. Diogo Caetano, Project Manager of ARENA (Azores, Portugal).

The geothermal country profiles in Central Europe were the subject of the 3rd session of the conference. The German Geothermal Energy Sector was the subject of the presentation of Mr. Kai Imolauer (Project Coordinator, Roedl & Partner, Germany), who was also the co-ordinator of this session. Dr. Janos Szanyi (Scientist, Geothermal Coordinating and Innovation Foundation, Hungary) analyzed the geothermal sector in Hungary, whereas Prof. Dejan Ivezic (Vice Dean, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mining and Geology, Serbia), presented the Serbian experience in geothermal energy. The situation of the Slovak geothermal energy sector was analyzed by Mr. Radovan (Cernak, SGUDS, Slovakia).

The financing of geothermal applications in Europe was the focus of the 4th session of the “GEOFAR: Innovative Solutions for Geothermal Energy Financing” conference. “Financing a Geothermal Project – Main Barriers and Problems” will be the subject of a presentation by Mr. George Hatziyannis (Geologist, IGME, Greece). Mr. Benjamin Richter (Project Coordinator, Roedl & Partner, Germany) will analyze financing of geothermal energy applications in Germany and, particulary, the Geothermal Risk Fund. The French risk fund system for geothermal investments was described by by Ms. Adeline Poux on behalf of Ms. Florence Jaudin (Project Coordinator, BRGM, France) and Mr. George Georganas (Project Coordinator, Energo Group, Greece) analyzed GeoRIMI (Geothermal Risk Mitigation). GeoRiMi, a Geothermal Risk Mitigation Programme, has been developed by GEOFAR in order to provide subsidies and guarantees for the exploration and drilling phase of deep geothermal projects. GeoRIMI aims at covering the lack of information among decision makers and investors, but also inmaking up for inappropriate funding schemes. With the successful implementation of GeoRiMi, numerous geothermal energy projects can benefit from this innovative financial instrument that is hoped it will sustainably boost the geothermal sector across Europe.

Selected geothermal applications in Europe was the subject of the 5th session, opening the second day of the conference (Friday, March 18). Prof. Emerit. Michael Fytikas (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) coordinated this session, which began with a presentation by Dr. Apostolos Arvanitis (IGME, Greece) of the agricultural applications in the Neo Erasmio geothermal field (Thrace, Northeastern Greece). The cultivation of spirulina as an innovative geothermal application in Greece was also analyzed by Dr. Arvanitis. Dr. Erwin Knapek (former Mayor of Unterhaching, Germany) referred to the case of Unterhaching, as a successful application of combined heat and power. Heat Pumps Applications in Greece were presented on by Mr. Dimitris Konstantopoulos, (Manager, Konstantopoulos Ing, Greece).

The prospects for geothermal applications in Europe were analyzed during the last session of the “GEOFAR: Innovative Solutions for Geothermal Energy Financing” conference, which was co-ordinated by Mr. John Chadjivasiliadis. The prospects of geothermal energy in Greece and, in particular, the case study of Nigrita greenhouses were presented by Mr. Nicholas Ploumis, (Manager, Thermoelectric Power Projects Dept., ITA Group, Greece). Mr. Philippe Dumas (Manager, EGEC, Belgium) referred to the prospects of geothermal energy in Europe.

The Conference concluded with a general panel discussion on GEOFAR and the future of the geothermal sector in Europe, co-ordinated by Mr. Georganas, with the participation of Prof. Michael Fytikas, Mr. Philippe Dumas, Ms. Guillemette Picard (Energy Engineer, EBRD), Dr. Erwin Knapek, Mr. George Hatziyannis, Dr. Vasilis Karkoulias (President of the Hellenic Geothermal Association) and Mr. John Chadjivasiliadis. The Conference’s conclusions were briefly presented by Mr. Georganas.

The GEOFAR consortium comprises of eight (8) European institutes and companies from five different European Union countries. The eight partners include: the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (Greece), Instituto Geologico y Minero de Espana (Spain), Institute of Energy for South East Europe (Greece), Arena(Portugal), Rödl & Partner (Germany), Energo Group (Greece), BRGM (France)and Erlangen AG (Project Coordinator, Germany).

IENE aimed, through this GEOFAR conference, to promote awareness on geothermal energy and encourage applications among a large variety of social, political and economic groups.

The conference's presentations will on first instance be posted in a special microsite. At a later stage, the contents of the microsite will be available on geofar.eu.

The Prospects of the European Geothermal Sector Were Outlined by the GEOFAR Conference in Athens

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