Review of Geothermal Energy Potential in Europe

Geothermal energy is worldwide the most extensively used renewable energy besides hydro-power. About 52,000 GWh of geothermal energy per year were extracted worldwide for direct use for space heating, process heat, thermal spas or greenhouses. Geothermal energy can be exploited with various technologies, although it generally, albeit not exclusively, involves drilling and pumping water from depth. It feeds a great diversity of applications, alone or in combination with other sources of energy. Over 25% of the EU population lives in areas directly suitable for Geothermal District Heating There are 237 Geothermal Distict Heating plants (including cogeneration systems) in Europe representing the total installed capacity of 4.3 GWth and production of some 12883 GWh or 1107 ktoe in 2012. In order to increase awareness, GEODH, an IEE project co-financed by the EU - has assessed and presented for the first time the potential of geothermal energy in Europe on an interactive map. In the EU-27 countries there are 3550 DH systems providing heat for 2160 cities and towns over 5000 inhabitants, thus satisfying 12% of total heat demand of the population. The majority of the systems are fed by gas and only 1% by renewables (mostly biomass). Despite the favorable geothermal conditions in Europe, geothermal energy contributes only 0,001% of the district heating systems. The major markets are in France, Iceland, Germany and Hungary, however most of the European countries foresee a significant growth by 2020, also in line with their NREAP (National Renewable Energy Action Plans) targets. By 2020, nearly all states in Europe will have GeoDH