​Geoscience Ireland has launched Phase two of the Geo Energy Europe project which brings together nine geothermal-energy-focused business development clusters, from eight European countries.

This phase of the Geo Energy Europe project builds on the success of the first phase which ran from 2018 to 2020. The purpose of the first phase of the project was to explore third country energy markets and identify opportunities for the use of European skills and expertise in the field of deep geothermal energy. The second phase will focus on bringing the skills and expertise of European small and medium sized companies to the target markets identified in the first phase of the project. In addition, the second phase will assist in the development of business links between European small and medium sized enterprises and their counterparts in mature and emerging geothermal energy markets around the globe.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD said:

"I welcome the launch of the Geo Energy Europe project. Irish small and medium-sized enterprises along with their European counterparts have a great deal of expertise to share with clients who seek to decarbonise their heating, cooling and electricity needs."

Geothermal energy is a secure, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective source of energy that is growing in popularity across the world. Geothermal installations are commonly used across the globe to heat and cool homes and businesses, as well as industrial and agricultural applications. Through participation in the Geo Energy Europe project, Irish small and medium sized enterprises will be able to build their capacity to work on geothermal energy projects. The experience gained by Geoscience Ireland's member companies through working with European partners in mature third country energy markets will be essential when the time comes to develop geothermal energy infrastructure in Ireland.

The Geo Energy Europe project combines the European know-how, technologies and experience in geo-energy, with an emphasis on the service offer of small and medium-sized companies in the field of deep geothermal energy. Geo Energy Europe currently represents over 600 members, including 300 small and medium-sized enterprises from 23 EU countries, and covers the entire deep geothermal value chain of services.

Geoscience Ireland (GI) is coordinating the Geo Energy Europe project and the participants are: Geoscience Ireland (Ireland), Pole Avenia (France), GeoDeep (France), Geo Energy Celle (Germany), the European Geothermal Energy Council (Belgium), Consorzio per lo Sviluppo delle Aree Geotermiche (Italy), Cluster of Applied Earth Sciences (Hungary), Plataforma Tecnológica y de Innovación Española en Geotermia (Spain), and Jeotermal Elektrik Santral Yatırımcıları Derneği (Turkey). The project is funded by the European Commission via the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) through its COS-CLUSINT-2019-3-01: Clusters Go International programme.

Notes to the Editor

• Geoscience Ireland is a business cluster of 41 member companies, delivering integrated expertise in energy, water, minerals, environmental and infrastructure development to clients in over 75 countries, inside and outside of the European Union. It is a programme of Geological Survey Ireland and is also supported by Enterprise Ireland (Ireland's export agency) and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
• Geological Survey Ireland is the National Earth Science organisation and is a division of the Department of the Environment, Climate Action and Communications. It is responsible for providing geological advice and information, and for the acquisition of data for this purpose. The Survey produces a range of products including maps, reports and databases and acts as a knowledge centre and project partner in all aspects of Irish geology.
• For more information on Geological Survey Ireland or Geoscience Ireland, see www.gsi.ie or www.geoscience.ie
• For further information or comment, please contact Stephen Walsh, Geoscience Ireland, at 00353 86 335 0783 or Stephen.Walsh@gsi.ie
• Gov.ie article can be viewed here.