Friday, November 30, 2018

Europe: Call for Greater Use of Geothermal Energy

Open Letter: European call for an increased use of geothermal energy (EGEC)

Geothermal energy is the energy stored in the form of heat below the surface of solid earth. The deeper one penetrates the interior of the Earth, the warmer it becomes. It is inexhaustible by human standards and so far, it has been used only to a limited extent for heating, cooling and the generation of electricity.

Geothermal energy is a largely CO2 free renewable energy source available at virtually every location. The technology is proven to reliably meet heating, cooling and electricity supply needs. Geothermal also promotes local economic development and job creation. It also is a significant contributor to energy security. Further deployment of this renewable resource requires a strong commitment by public authorities and the private sector. A major barrier to increased deployment of geothermal energy remains awareness of the technology. The support of public authorities plays a key role in promoting geothermal energy.