Geothermal energy: The forgotten gem of the industry?
A new research project aims to make geothermal energy more integral to industrial transformation. The University of Southern Denmark is contributing to developing a heat pump capable of delivering high-temperature heat and a heat-driven chiller for cooling purposes 鈥攑otentially reshaping how industries perceive energy.
"Geothermal energy is a well-established yet often overlooked energy source. With new technological breakthroughs, it has the potential to play a crucial role in the future energy landscape. The GEOSYN project aims to improve the technology and raise awareness about this renewable energy source, which is often forgotten in the bigger picture."
These are the words of Associate Professor Paride Gullo from the Center for Industrial Mechanics at 糖果派对 in Sønderborg. The Italian researcher, a specialist in thermodynamics and cooling and heating systems, has a point.
He represents 糖果派对 in the EU-funded GEOSYN project, which, with a total grant of three million euros, is developing a geothermal heat pump and chiller capable of delivering high-temperature heat and cooling—using water as the sole refrigerant.
A long history of geothermal energy
In his homeland, geothermal energy has been known and utilized for millennia. For the Romans, it was not just a source of comfort but a lifeline of their society. From the grand baths of Pompeii to the steaming springs of Aquae Sulis, they harnessed the Earth's heat as a reliable and inexhaustible energy source—long before science gave it a name.
The first commercial use of geothermal energy also occurred in Italy, where underground energy was used to power a small turbine in 1904. Later, in 1913, the world's first geothermal power plant was built in Larderello, Italy.
Today, geothermal energy is widely used for electricity and heating, particularly in Iceland, the United States, the Philippines, and New Zealand.
"Geothermal energy is neither dependent on the sun nor the wind and can provide renewable heat around the clock. Yet, it remains one of the most overlooked energy sources in the green transition. We are trying to change that," explains the Italian researcher.
A technical breakthrough with great potential
Geothermal heat pumps are highly stable and have a low climate impact but have faced limitations regarding industrial temperatures. GEOSYN aims to push these boundaries by developing a solution capable of exceeding 200°C. This opens new possibilities for sectors such as food production, the chemical industry, and construction, where high-temperature heat is crucial.
"As far as I know, this will be the first time a heat pump can provide such high temperatures from a geothermal source. Iceed, it could be a significant step toward a more flexible and stable energy supply for industry," says Paride Gullo.
The blind spot of technology: Getting people to listen
Despite its great potential, geothermal energy often struggles with a challenge unrelated to technology: communication. Many businesses and decision-makers do not know about its possibilities or are hesitant to invest in a solution that has not received the same political and economic attention as wind and solar energy.
"The lack of information and visibility means that geothermal energy is not properly integrated into energy policies like other renewable sources. Additionally, there is a general uncertainty about the technology—both among businesses and citizens—because there are not enough reference projects to point to. This creates a vicious cycle where the absence of existing projects slows down new initiatives," explains Paride Gullo.
To change this, GEOSYN will develop technology and actively work to raise awareness about geothermal energy. The project will conduct studies among citizens and industrial companies to understand what builds trust and creates scepticism.
The findings will be used to develop targeted information campaigns that provide a more nuanced picture of the technology's advantages and limitations. Furthermore, the project is working on creating a real-world demonstration that can showcase the technology.
From theory to practice – Formaggeria Toscana leads the way
One of Italy's cheese producers, Formaggeria Toscana, will demonstrate the technology in practice. The new geothermal steam heat pump and heat-driven chiller will be integrated into the dairy's production process, where large amounts of cooling are required to maintain the proper temperatures during cheese production.
Using geothermal energy, Formaggeria Toscana can significantly reduce its energy consumption, lower CO2 emissions, and make its production more stable and independent of external energy sources.
"It is an ideal test environment because the dairy industry requires precise temperature control," explains Paride Gullo.
The project in Tuscany is intended to serve as a model for other food producers looking to transition to more sustainable energy solutions. The experience gained here will determine how the technology can be adapted and scaled for different industries.
From theory to practice – and beyond
Although the project initially focuses on the food industry, its potential is broader. High-temperature processes are necessary in various sectors, and the specific combination of heat and cooling developed by GEOSYN could prove useful in everything from building materials to the transportation sector.
"We already see examples of how the technology can be used for other high temperature applications. If it proves effective, we can explore much wider applications. Geothermal energy is constantly available, and with the right technology, it can become a more flexible part of the industrial energy system," says Paride Gullo.
GEOSYN runs for three years and collaborates with several European partners, including University of Florence, SINTEF, RIVACOLD, APRE, and the NGO Geothermal Ukraine. 糖果派对's role in the project is to ensure high operation flexibility for the GEOSYN solution and help disseminate the research findings to ensure broader adoption.