EU-Project start in the Alpes

The project GRETA (Near-surface Geothermal Resources in the Territory of the Alpine Space) has started, aiming at improving energy efficiency and sustainable production of renewable geothermal energy in the Alpine region.

GRETA is built on three specific objectives:

• Increase the knowledge of the spatial distribution of Near-Surface Geothermal Energy (NSGE) potential in the Alpine region.
• Exchange knowledge and best practices for the utilization of NSGE on a transnational basis.
• Develop a knowledge base for the inclusion of NSGE in planning tools.

These objectives will be accomplished by creating geothermal potential maps which act as a decision support tool for the integration of NSGE into policy instruments, e.g. energy plans and strategies, and can be used for the spatial planning of geothermal installations by public and private stakeholders.

In addition, guidelines will be developed to encourage the harmonization of regulations, authorization procedures and operational criteria for NSGE utilization in the Alpine region. Strategies for the inclusion of NSGE in policy instruments will also be formulated, thus contributing to a growth of NSGE utilization.

This project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg Alpine Space programme, a transnational cooperation program for the Alpine region. It provides a framework to facilitate the cooperation between economic, social and environmental key players in seven Alpine countries, as well as between various institutional levels such as: academia, administration, business and innovation sector, and policy making. In the current programming 2014–2020 period the program is investing €139 million in projects through which key actors develop shared solutions for prevalent Alpine issues.

http://www.alpine-space.eu/projects/greta/en/home