A Novel Exploration Toolkit for Finding Geothermal Heat Efficiently and Sustainably

Geothermal energy can provide a climate-friendly baseload for heat and power that is independent from wind and sun. However, the growth of geothermal energy lags behind EU targets.

This is because geothermal energy projects have comparatively high technical and economic risks, which impacts public support negatively and holds back investment. Reliable exploration strategies that have inherently lower economic and technical risks and hence increase public support are key to drastically reducing these barriers.

FindHeat facts

FindHeat will enable a new exploration workflow that leads to a paradigm shift in exploration towards exploiting geothermal resources that have inherently lower technical and economic risk

Issues

High economic and technical risks
Negative public perception
Geological uncertainty
Success rate < 50%

FindHeat Platform

Fast and low costs software exploration tools
Robust economic assessment
Trusted communication
Training of technical experts

FindHeat

Low risk geothermal projects
Constrained uncertainty
Positive public engagement
Success rate > 65%

The workflow

Data acquisition

Geothermal and social data collection

Data integration

Innovative exploration tools
Fast modelling
Value of information
Testing in real solution
Economic impact
Public engagement

Methodologies & workflows

Information
Data processing and integration
Social value

Outcomes

Faster turnaround time
Less risk
Better public engagement
Reduced costs

Work packages

Work package 1

Agile, fast, integrated exploration tools

Work package 2

Conceptual resource models for geothermal exploration

Work package 3

Decision making and its impact on economics

Work package 4

Methods for tailored training and communication

Work package 5

Modular toolkit – the FindHeat platform

Work package 6

Communication, dissemination, and exploitation

Work package 7

Project coordination