Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy, or geothermal heat energy, is produced by storing solar energy in the ground or as heat radiating from the Earth’s depths. It is a low-cost, renewable energy source and a highly valued resource in European countries.
The EGA is involved in research into the potential of geothermal energy and in the presentation of research results, including the representation of Estonia’s interests in the international professional organisations EGEC and IGA.
introduction
The Estonian Geothermal Energy Association (hereinafter EGA) was established on 18.05.2011 in Tallinn. The aim of the EGA is to bring together persons, companies and organisations involved in geothermal activities and to carry out applied research and research and development activities. According to its statutes, the EGA aims to promote, coordinate and support the wider deployment of geothermal energy and renewable energy sources, and to represent Estonia’s positions in international organisations active in the field of geothermal energy. The Chairman of the EGA Board is Professor Alvar Soesoo of Tallinn University of Technology.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
EGA REPRESENTS ESTONIAN INTERESTS IN THE PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS EGEC AND IGA
EGA REPRESENTS ESTONIAN INTERESTS IN THE PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS EGEC AND IGA
Activities
EGA activities will focus on the creation of mechanisms to enable and support the dissemination of information on geothermal energy applications to various target groups, including local authorities, businesses, public authorities and private individuals. EGA focuses on the dissemination of information gathered through national and international cooperation, i.e. to raise awareness on energy efficiency, to provide necessary input to Estonian legislation and to enhance economic savings and anti-pollution activities.
EGA’s contribution to the development of the Estonian geothermal energy sector and to the achievement of the national level objectives will be, inter alia, the following:
Shaping
Shaping national energy policy on geothermal energy, including providing basic information and input for legislation (studies, analyses, standards, guidelines)
Developing
Developing a national action plan to identify, map and exploit geothermal potential
Representation
Representation of Estonia’s positions at international level in organisations active in the field of geothermal energy and information exchange between local and international stakeholders: informing companies, public institutions and private consumers about the opportunities and benefits of geothermal energy (i.e. in district heating networks, public infrastructure projects, etc.)
FURTHER APPLIED RESEARCH
GEOTHERMAL POTENTIAL OF THE ESTONIAN SOIL
On the basis of the available geophysical, petrological–mineralogical, structural–geological and direct temperature measurement datasets, it is possible to draw general conclusions about the geothermal potential, but it is difficult to apply the dataset in a more detailed way for the estimation of the geothermal resource of the Estonian subsurface. Existing boreholes are mostly too shallow (100-200 m) to reliably determine the heat flux density and do not provide direct information on the geothermal parameters of the deeper layers of the Earth’s crust. In Estonia, the thermal energy of the deep crust, i.e. the Proterozoic crystalline basement rocks at a depth of about 3-6 km, may be of interest for a larger geothermal installation. Unfortunately, we currently have no geological information on such depths.
EGAS VISION
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY: EXPLORATION AND APPLICATION
As a first step to develop cooperation between geothermal energy stakeholders, the Institute of Geology of TUT joined the INTERREG IVC project GEO.POWER in 2010. The project, which aimed at exchanging and developing best practices in European geothermal energy applications, brought together 9 European countries. Although the current situation is mainly in favour of the application of low temperature geothermal energy, there are still a number of constraints (e.g. lack of legislation and regulation) to its wider deployment. In addition, the exploration and/or application of high-temperature geothermal energy has so far not received attention. EGA’s vision is to introduce more favourable electricity tariffs or other subsidies for geothermal heat pumps, to reach 5-7 km of boreholes in Estonia and to achieve a wider application of geothermal energy as a renewable energy in the heating and cooling economy and, in the future, also in electricity production.
News
The Estonian state is supporting an applied study on the deployment of geothermal energy with €3.8 million.
The study will be carried out between 2021 and 2024 and will be managed by the Estonian Geological Survey. For more information, see the link: https://www.mkm.ee/et/uudised/eesti-alustab-maapoueenergia-potentsiaali-uurimist
International Geothermal Energy Conference 16.06.2022
The Estonian Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Estonian Geothermal Energy Association, will organise an international conference on geothermal energy, the current state of the geothermal energy sector, developments, research activities and European policy and financial trends in this field on 16 June 2022. The conference will take the form of a hybrid conference. The […]
Geothermal-DHC regional cluster workshop in Riga 30.09.2022
A workshop will take place in September 2022 (30.09.2022), focusing on a science-policy-industry dialogue on the opportunities and barriers to better integrate geothermal energy into a multi-generation heating and cooling network at different temperature levels. More information below: Registration to the 5th International Conference “Innovative Materials, Structures and Technologies”: https://imst.rtu.lv/registration-to-imst2022/ Link: FIRST_ANNOUNCEMENT_CA18219_Regional-Hub-Event_Baltic
