Tha auditorium at UiS. By Kjersti Riiber

November 13-15, 2024 – Stavanger, Norway

The European Geothermal Workshop 2024 (EGW2024), hosted at the University of Stavanger, served as a global hub for scientific discourse, technological innovation, and policy dialogues on geothermal energy. Spread across three days, the workshop brought together researchers, engineers, and stakeholders to explore cutting-edge advancements and collaborative opportunities in geothermal energy, a cornerstone for achieving carbon neutrality in Europe and beyond.

Day 1: Foundations of Geothermal Excellence

The workshop began on November 13. With coffee cups in hand, attendees from diverse backgrounds filled the room, setting the tone for an engaging day.

In his opening remarks, Mohsen Assadi and Øystein Lund Bø, Director of the UiS faculty of Science and Technology, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing geothermal technologies. This was followed by David Bruhn from the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), who provided a comprehensive overview of geothermal research in Europe, including advancements in high-temperature systems, reservoir modeling, and policy integration.

The morning's sessions featured groundbreaking projects:

• Horizon Europe’s URGENT project, presented by Virginie Harcouët-Menou, showcased innovative urban geothermal exploration workflows aimed at affordable and sustainable applications.
• The University of Stavanger’s geothermal plant, discussed by Fredrik Skaug Fadnes, offered an inspiring journey from conceptualization to operation, positioning the university as a leader in regional energy innovation.
• The GeoLoop model, introduced by Zanne Korevaar, offered a sophisticated depth-dependent approach to closed-loop ground-source heat pumps, reflecting the workshop’s emphasis on novel modeling techniques.

Interactive breaks, including a networking coffee session, allowed participants to exchange insights and foster partnerships.

The second half of the day highlighted global initiatives:

• Bastian Rudolph shared progress on the GeoLaB underground research laboratory, designed to accelerate geothermal development.
• Contributions from East Africa, such as the LEAP-RE Geothermal Village project, underscored geothermal energy’s potential to address socio-economic disparities by providing sustainable energy to underserved rural communities.

The day ended with discussions on seismic data's role in geothermal system enhancement, presented by Alexander Jüstel, and community-oriented energy solutions, discussed by Giuseppe Mandrone.

Day 2: Bridging Innovation and Implementation

The second day focused on technical breakthroughs and real-world applications. The morning sessions, chaired by geothermal energy veteran Jan Diederik van Wees, introduced advanced methodologies:

• Akin’s open-source techno-economic modeling provided a decision-making toolkit for aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES), borehole thermal energy storage (BTES), and medium-temperature systems (MTES).
• Miecznik’s elimination of the thermal lift effect addressed challenges in deep geothermal wells, showcasing a leap forward in efficiency.

Discussions shifted to Norway’s geothermal potential with Ove Heggland highlighting innovations in agricultural applications, such as geothermal-heated greenhouses on Rennesøy Island. Similarly, Yuriy Maystrenko presented findings from borehole data, painting a promising picture of Norway’s capacity for deep geothermal solutions.

The afternoon highlighted geothermal systems’ operational challenges and mitigation strategies. Among the standout presentations:

• Esneu’s research on colloid clogging explored implications for fluid reinjection, a key challenge in maintaining geothermal system efficiency.
• Daniele Fiaschi’s analysis of non-uniform permeability through the HOCLOOP project emphasized its impact on heat transfer, sparking debates about optimizing wellbore designs.

Day 2 culminated in Paola Bombarda’s moterated session on subsurface monitoring, showcasing technologies like InSAR for tracking geoenergy-related subsidence and ground movements.

Day 3: Field Visit and Practical Engagement

The final day transitioned from theory to practice with a visit to the Energy Central and Ullrigg geothermal testing site. Participants witnessed cutting-edge equipment in action, gaining firsthand experience in drilling techniques, reservoir simulations, and system monitoring. The visit underscored the importance of integrating research with fieldwork to overcome real-world challenges.

Key Takeaways: Shaping the Geothermal Future

EGW2024 wasn’t just a series of lectures—it was a catalyst for change. Major themes included:

• Global Collaboration: From the European GeoLaB project to the Geothermal Atlas for Africa, international initiatives highlighted the power of collaboration in advancing sustainable energy.
• Technological Frontiers: AI, digitalization, and multiphysics simulations were presented as transformative tools, opening new pathways for efficiency and innovation.
• Community Integration: Several projects, including the LEAP-RE Geothermal Village and Giuseppe Mandrone’s renewable energy communities, demonstrated how geothermal energy can empower local populations.

Social and Networking Highlights

The workshop’s spirit of collaboration extended beyond formal sessions. The conference dinner at Stavanger Konserthus’ Spiseriet provided a relaxed atmosphere where participants exchanged ideas while enjoying Norwegian cuisine. Such moments cemented professional relationships and fostered a sense of shared purpose.

A Look Ahead

As the workshop concluded, David Bruhn’s closing remarks encapsulated the event's impact shown in the organization of the event and in the numerous participation into the activities. 

The European Geothermal Workshop 2024 exemplified the synergy between innovation and implementation. With its focus on actionable solutions and interdisciplinary collaboration, the event reaffirmed geothermal energy’s role as a cornerstone of the global energy transition.