Second Periodic Report

The project’s overall objective is to promote the utilization of geothermal energy and resources as a reliable renewable energy resource through demonstration actions in three cities involved in the project as CONCERTO Areas. Geothermal energy is the least known and least expanded RES in Europe, though its relevance and importance should deserve much more attention. By using the practically unlimited internal heat of earth, geothermal energy has one of the highest potential of all RES. When compared with other RES – like solar or wind – its main advantage is the practically constant energy and heat output it can provide. Besides the well known geothermal regions like Iceland or the region of Tuscany (Larderello) in Italy, Central-Eastern European countries have exceptional geothermal resources. These resources are either unexploited due to the lack of technological know-how or their use is carried out in an unsustainable way; geothermal district heating projects lack the energy efficiency component and the used thermal water is generally not re-injected but instead released to surface waters.

In line with the project’s core objectives, the second year of implementation has also brought about tangible results keeping the planned work on track. After having finished the retrofitting of the multi-storey buildings at the Galanta demo site, focus has been shifted towards the additional buildings included in the local CONCERTO area such as the elementary school. Replacement of windows has been decided to be carried out in two-stages in order to maintain the full operational capability of the school. The first set of windows  was replaced during 2011, while the second batch is planned to be installed before the end of 2012.

On the technological research side, SOFTECH has delivered their concept regarding the retrofitting of historical buildings, which is going to be applied on the homes and public buildings in the historic town centre of Montieri. The University of Szeged has also progressed with the transboundary geothermal energy utilisation topic while liaising with other relevant international projects such as the TRANSENERGY4 funded by the EU’s Central Europe Programme co-financed by the ERDF.

Potential avenues to integrate geothermal energy with other renewable energy sources have also been explored. The compiled showcase (attached as D4.1 deliverable to this report) discusses best practices and novel ideas from all over the world promoting the combination of geothermal energy with other renewable and conventional sources of energy to achieve maximum output.