Geothermal Energy
PANEL OF EXPERTS
01 Mission
02 Experts
03 Activity
04 EU Policy
Mission
Achieving a low carbon and sustainable economy involves energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable ones. Geothermal is baseload renewable energy that complements the intermittency of solar and wind energy. It is a main contender in diversifying the energy supply and the large scale integration of Earth’s heat into the energy mix. Geothermal is a major step towards a sustainable future: be part of the change!
The aim of the EFG PE on Geothermal Energy is the promotion of excellence in the application of geology in the Geothermal Energy sector:
– EFG Panel of Experts provides the possibility for interchanging experiences between Geothermal experts from different European countries.
– EFG PE on Geothermal Energy has the potential to become the main actor in harmonizing this field and to be instrumental in the sustainable growth of geothermal energy utilization.
– The members of the Geothermal PE must help the EU Institutions and organizations of EU countries during decision-making process in the geothermal sector.
Experts
János Szanyi
Coordinator of Geothermal Energy
Paolo Basile
Detlev Doherr
Attila Kujbus
Annamaria Nador
Estelle Petitclerc
Christian Boissavy
Emanuele Emani
Arnout JW Everts
Nick O’Neill
Nina Rman
Gabriele Cesari
Mikael Erlström
Pedro Madureira
Riccardo Pasquali
José Angel Sanchez
Alain Dassargues
Isabel Fernandez Fuentes
Aurelio Mela
Bruno Sameiro Pereira
Burkhard Sanner
Activities
Partnering across Europe to strengthen geothermal innovation, training, and sustainable energy classification.
November 2025
March 2025
EFG welcomes the EU Clean Industrial Deal presented on 26 February 2025
January 2025
EFG President David Govoni and János Szanyi, EFG Coordinator of the Panel of Experts on Geothermal Energy, contributed to the latest edition of the SPE Italian Section Technical Bulletin—a special issue entirely dedicated to geothermal energy. Read their article, “Reconnaissance and Surface Exploration: The European Federation of Geologists’ Perspective,” from page 38.
November 2024
Launch of EFG Policy Manifesto: Geology’s Vital Contribution to European Competitiveness
– Coordinator Janos Szanyi serves on the Advisory Board of the EFG-coordinated CROWDTHERMAL project
– The Panel supports the GEOTRAINET organisation
– European Technology Platform – Renewable Heating and Cooling: EFG is a member of the Geothermal Panel
General
– Contribution to the GEOTRAINET position paper regarding the Review of the Renewable Energy Directive in 2021
– Contribution to the EGEC Consultation on EIA & Harmonised European Geothermal Licensing Guidelines, 2021
– Interview with coordinator János Szanyi
– EFG was the coordinator of the project GEOTRAINET – “GEO-EDUCATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE GEOTHERMAL HEATING AND COOLING MARKET”. The aim of the project GEOTRAINET was to develop the training of professionals involved in Ground Source Heat Pump installations (GSHP).
– EFG participated in the European Union Sustainable Energy Week 2008, (28 January-1 February): Stand on Geology and Sustainable Energy
– EFG created this group of experts in 2005. It was originally called ”Panel of Experts on Geothermal Energy and CO2 Sequestration”. In 2008 the group split into two different groups: Panel of Experts on Geothermal Energy and Panel of Experts on CO2 Geological Storage.
EFG Documents
– Geothermal Energy and the European Commission – February meetings 2008
– EFG Stand: Geology and Sustainable Energy
– Poster: Geothermal Resources in Europe
– EFG Geothermal Usage Poster, 2008
– Presentation from the European Federation of Geologists: A Capacity to Promote Geothermal Energy, ENGINE event, February 2006
Monitoring the EU policy
EU funding:
EU institutions involved:
Commission:
– DG Research -DG Research, Geothermal Energy
– DG Transport and Energy
Parliament:
– Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy
– Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Relation with other international associations:
– European Renewable Energy Council -European Geothermal Energy Council
– Current European projects in Geothermal
Relevant EU links
– SETIS magazine: Geothermal Energy, 05/2015
– 2014 JRC Geothermal Energy Status Report, 17/02/2015
– Geothermal Technology Roadmap: European Technology Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling, RHC 2014
– Strategic Energy Technology Plan Study on Energy Education and Training in Europe
– ETP-RHC Geothermal vision 2020-2030
– Geothermal ERA-NET project
– Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Renewable Heating & Cooling, 2013
– Geothermal Strategic Research Priorities May 2012
– Materials Roadmap Enabling Low Carbon Energy Technologies, Commission Staff working paper, 13/12/2011 Brussels
– EGEC Brussels Declaration 2009
– Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Renewable Energy Road Map Renewable energies in the 21st century: building a more sustainable future, January 2007. (Renewable energy roadmap COM (2006)848 final 10.01.2007)
– Directive 2004/8/EC of 11 February 2004 on the promotion of cogeneration based on useful heat demand in the internal energy market and amending Directive 92/42.EEC
– Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 on the energy performance of buildings, Official Journal of the European Communities.
– Energy for the future: renewable sources of energy. White Paper and action plan COM (97) 599 26.11.1997.
Related EU-Initiatives:
Events
April 2025: EFG was a media partner of the European Geothermal PhD Days 2025 and sponsored the Best Lecturer Award.
November 2024: Participation in COP29 – How geologists are driving climate solutions for a sustainable future
September 2021: – Participation in the 48th IAH congress, Brussels.
May 2019: – EuroWorkshop: Geology and the energy transition, Delft.
