SET 11: Coordination of Joint Program Geothermal Energy, European Energy Research Alliance

Geothermal energy technology for heat and power has been identified as one of the strategic energy technologies in the SET plan. The Geothermal Joint Program (EERA Geothermal) is the geothermal energy cooperation program of the European Energy Research Alliance. Since its launch in 2010, EERA Geothermal has achieved the status as the leading platform for networks and research collaboration in geothermal energy in Europe. It is estimated that more than 40% of European research capacity in geothermal energy research is represented by the participating organizations. EERA Geothermal contributes to guidelines and policy formulation, for example, the organization is central to the design of European research priorities through the role it has had in developing the SET-Plan Implementation Plan Deep Geothermal as well as the implementation and revision of this plan through the Deep Geothermal Implementation Working Group. EERA Geothermal is also an important stakeholder in the European Technology and Innovation Platform Deep Geothermal (ETIP-DG). During the project period, EERA Geothermal's role has been strengthened, in particular through participation in the Deep Geothermal IWG, but also in the ETIP-DG. UiB and NORCE have by Inga Berre (UiB / NORCE) and Charlotte Krafft (NORCE) has from 2018 had central responsibility for the coordination and management of EERA Geothermal. Inga Berre has been the coordinator of EERA Geothermal from 2018-2019. As coordinator of EERA Geothermal she has also had a permanent place in the steering group for ETIP-DG. EERA Geothermal is also central to the Deep Geothermal IWG, for which Berre has been co-chair since it was formally established in 2019. Charlotte Krafft (NORCE) has contributed to EERA Geothermal's program office in 2018-2019 in a 20% position. During the period 2018-2019, EERA Geothermal has strengthened its role. A new governance structure has been adopted, strategic documents for EERA Geothermal have been updated, and EERA Geothermal have contributed to the development of important documents such as the SET-Plan Implementation Plan Deep Geothermal and the ETIP DG Implementation Roadmap.

EERA Geothermal har fått en sterk rolle i implementeringen av SET-Plan Implementation Plan Deep Geothermal, bla gjennom et eget CSA EU-prosjekt. I tillegg er EERA Geothermal representert i Deep Geothermal Implementation Working Group (Deep Geothermal IWG), og har i 2019 hatt rollen som co-chair. EERA Geothermal har økt antall medlemmer i perioden. Flere norske aktører som er representert i EERA Geothermal har vært involvert i søknader på EU-prosjekter i perioden.

Geothermal heat and power has been identified as one of the strategic Energy Technologies in the SET-Plan [http://setis.ec.europa.eu/geothermal-power]. Through EERA JPGE, the participants have the opportunity to ensure alignment of R&D activities to the needs of the SET-Plan, as well as giving input on strategic research priorities. JPGE, was launched in 2010. Currently 30 participants and associates from 12 European countries have joined the JPGE in a strategically oriented endeavor to facilitate development of cost-effective technologies suitable for a sustainable growth of geothermal energy in Europe and worldwide. JPGE aims to contribute to meet Europe's climate and energy policy targets for 2020 and beyond through large-scale deployment of geothermal energy. Since it was launched in June 2010, JPGE has obtained a status as the leading platform for networking and cooperation on geothermal energy research in Europe, providing guidelines to Regulatory Authorities and Policy Makers for development of geothermal initiatives. JPGE has, for example, contributed to SET-Plan documents and given input to Horizon2020. At the general assembly of JPGE in 2017, Prof. Inga Berre (University of Bergen) was elected as new JP coordinator for the period 2018-2019, replacing Dr. Ernst Huenges (GFZ), who has lead JPGE since it was established. Prof. David Bruhn was elected scientific secretary. The Secretariat will consist of Justyna Ellis (GFZ) and Charlotte G. Krafft (CMR). As coordinator of JPGE, Prof. Inga Berre will also be member of the steering committee for the European Innovation and Technololgy Platform on Deep Geothermal (ETIP-DG). The current project is related to the leadership and administration of JPGE as joint programme coordinator.