.
The objective of this chapter is to introduce the complex and evolving policy and regulatory framework relevant to geothermal energy in Europe. The analysis covers both shallow and deep geothermal technologies producing electrical power, heat, cold and hot water. It has a focus on the European Union (EU) legislation and its implementation. Indeed, nowadays it results difficult to fully understand the legal system for geothermal energy in a given European country without some acquaintance with the overarching EU framework. To this end, it may be useful to clarify some preliminary principles governing the relations between the EU and its member states. The competences between the two levels are defined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. In areas like energy and the environment, where the competence is shared, the EU can legislate when its action is considered to be more effective than the action taken at national, regional or local level. In the framework of the functioning of the European Economic Area, EU rules can apply to Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein. Additionally, they can also apply to other countries (e.g. Switzerland, Turkey) through bilateral agreements. National competences can be further devolved to regional and local authorities depending on the degree of self-governance in each country. The chapter is organised as follows: the first section provides an overview of the EU climate and energy framework; Sect. 2 takes a closer look at the key legal issues for the sector and a brief presentation of the most common mechanisms put in place for supporting geothermal energy; finally, Sect. 3 presents the future energy regulatory framework currently under discussion.
Perspectives for Geothermal Energy in Europe, pp. 11-40 (2017) No AccessChapter 1: Geothermal Energy in EuropePhilippe DumasPhilippe DumasEuropean Geothermal Energy Council, 2 Place du Champ de Mars, B-1050 Brussels, Belgiumhttps://doi.org/10.1142/9781786342324_0002Cited by:0 PreviousNext AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsRecommend to Library ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Abstract: Geothermal development in Europe dates back to more than a century, but the market is still at the infancy stage. We have witnessed within the last five years a resurgence of interest in geothermal power, after nearly a decade of only small development in capacity in the deep geothermal sector both for electricity and for direct uses (mainly district heating). A substantial number of projects have been developed throughout Europe, and geothermal energy is on its way to become a key player in the European energy market. The current market conditions do not allow this development; many nontechnical barriers still need to be removed. A new generation of geothermal technologies is also needed for answering the challenges of the next decade for the European energy system. If the energy transition has to be successful, we have to think about an optimal scenario in terms of costs and affordability for the customers and the citizens. Geothermal will be a key enabler, a local and stable source of renewable energy, and its role will be crucial in the future energy system. FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Perspectives for Geothermal Energy in EuropeMetrics History PDF download
Perspectives for Geothermal Energy in Europe, pp. 255-287 (2017) No AccessChapter 8: Policy and Regulation for Geothermal Energy in the EULuca AngelinoLuca AngelinoEuropean Geothermal Energy Council, Brussels, Belgiumhttps://doi.org/10.1142/9781786342324_0009Cited by:1 PreviousNext AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsRecommend to Library ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Abstract: This chapter presents the policy and regulatory framework relevant for geothermal energy. It provides an overview of the key legal challenges, of the European Union (EU) energy and climate framework, and of the evolving national financial incentives available. The analysis introduces to the licensing system in select countries and presents the main regulatory instruments used to ensure that geothermal projects are compatible with the environment. The EU energy and climate objectives can, in many ways, support the sector: in this context, the RES Directive has been the most important piece of legislation addressing many nontechnical barriers for geothermal energy. But policy and regulatory instruments evolve rapidly: with the gradual phase-out of feed-in tariffs and with more constraints on public budget, the future of the sector may largely depend on innovative financial mechanisms coupled with more market-based incentives. FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited By 1Risks and BarriersJohanna Fink, Elisa Heim and Norbert Klitzsch21 April 2022 Perspectives for Geothermal Energy in EuropeMetrics History PDF download
Every year EGEC, the European Geothermal Energy Council, publishes a market report to evaluate the development of the deep and shallow geothermal sectors in Europe. The report for 2016 focuses on an assessment of the trends observed over the last five years. Some of the key findings are: There are more than 100 geothermal power plants, with an installed capacity that amounted to around 2.5 GW(e) in 2016. During the period of 2011-2016, 90% of the new installed capacity was in Turkey. District heating is still the most dynamic segment. Between 2012 and 2016, 51 new plants have entered into operation. The total installed capacity is now ca. 4,9 GW(th) For shallow geothermal energy, the installation growth rate is declining; a capacity of more than 20 GW(th) was achieved by the end of 2015, distributed in over more than 1.7 million installations. In the debate on energy transition, the potential of geothermal energy has not yet received enough attention. We need a stronger focus on geothermal. EGEC calls for the recognition of geothermal advantages: being a renewable, local, base load, and flexible source of energy. 100 geothermal power plants, with an installed capacity that amounted to around 2.5 GW(c) in 2016 (of which 1 GW(e) is in the EU), producing some 15 TWh of electrical power every year. During the period of 2011-2016, 90% of the new installed capacity was in Turkey, a market which will continue to grow in years to come. - District Heating: This is the most dynamic segment in the geothermal sector. Between 2012 and 2016, 51 new plants have entered into operation, while several systems were renovated. The total installed capacity in Europe is now ca. 4,9 GW(th) with the main markets for future years being France, Netherlands, Germany, and Hungary (Fig. 1). - Shallow Geothermal: For shallow geothermal energy, the installation growth rate is declining; a capacity of more than 20 GW(th) was achieved, spread over more than 1.7 million installations.
