Trends in geothermal: riding the wave to Paris

Abstract

Geothermal energy is a constant and independent form of renewable energy and has the potential to play a key role towards the world’s future clean energy mix. Conventional and unconventional geothermal resources are largely available across all continents and can help countries to become less dependent on energy imports and build a broader base in their future energy mix (Falcone, 2019). However, despite its significant potential, the total contribution of the geothermal sector to global power generation is 0.3% and to renewable heat approximately 4% (REN 21, 2021). Besides the need to create more substantial political pull and the development of a mature geothermal market across continents, there is also a need for a collective ´technology push´ in order to make geothermal mainstream. This paper provides a stock take of geothermal energy globally and points out technology-driven activities and scientific programmes designed to build a strong subsurface energy value proposition in order to mature two scalable markets: power and heating and cooling.