Geothermal District Heating and Cooling

Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research

What it is

Geothermal district heating and cooling (DHC) systems utilize geothermal energy to provide heating and cooling to multiple buildings or communities through a network of pipes. This technology offers a sustainable and efficient way to meet the thermal energy needs of urban areas, campuses, and other communities, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Impact on climate action

Geothermal District Heating and Cooling in Geothermal Energy revolutionize climate action by providing efficient, renewable heating and cooling solutions. By tapping into the Earth’s heat, these systems reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions, and promote sustainable energy use, mitigating climate change impacts and fostering climate resilience.

Underlying
Technology

Geothermal Energy Source: Geothermal energy can be sourced from various types of geothermal resources, including hydrothermal reservoirs, EGS (Enhanced Geothermal Systems), and shallow geothermal energy.
District Heating and Cooling Network: A network of insulated pipes distributes hot or chilled water from a central plant to buildings and homes.
Heat Exchangers: Heat exchangers in buildings transfer heat from the district heating network to the building’s heating system or extract heat from the building’s cooling system and transfer it to the district cooling network.
System Design and Optimization: Geothermal DHC systems require careful design and optimization to ensure efficient heat generation, distribution, and utilization.
Thermal Energy Storage: Thermal energy storage systems can be integrated into geothermal DHC systems to store excess heat or cold for later use, improving system efficiency and flexibility.

TRL : 7-8

Prominent Innovation themes

Advanced Geothermal Technologies: Innovations in geothermal technologies, such as EGS and closed-loop geothermal systems, are expanding the potential for geothermal energy utilization in DHC systems.
Smart Grid Integration: Geothermal DHC systems are being integrated with smart grids to optimize energy flows, improve grid stability, and enable demand response capabilities.
Low-Temperature District Heating and Cooling Networks: New technologies and designs are enabling the use of lower-temperature water in DHC networks, reducing heat losses and improving efficiency.
Hybrid Geothermal DHC Systems: Combining geothermal energy with other renewable energy sources, such as solar thermal or biomass, can create hybrid DHC systems that offer increased energy generation consistency and improved reliability.

Other Innovation Subthemes

Low-Temperature Network Designs
Thermal Energy Storage Integration
Geothermal Heat Exchanger Innovations
District Cooling System Optimization
Geothermal DHC System Resilience
Urban Heat Island Mitigation
Scalable District Heating Solutions

Related Innovations

Sample Global Startups and Companies

Veolia:
- Technology Enhancement: Veolia is a global leader in optimized resource management, including geothermal district heating and cooling solutions. Their expertise lies in designing, building, and operating district energy systems that utilize geothermal energy for heating and cooling buildings within a community or district. Veolia’s solutions encompass geothermal heat pumps, underground heat exchangers, and smart energy management systems.
- Uniqueness of the Startup: Veolia stands out for its comprehensive approach to geothermal district heating and cooling, integrating sustainable energy sources with efficient distribution networks and advanced control systems. Their solutions prioritize energy efficiency, reliability, and environmental sustainability, helping communities reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.
- End-User Segments Addressing: Veolia serves municipalities, real estate developers, and industrial clients seeking sustainable and cost-effective heating and cooling solutions. Their geothermal district energy systems are deployed in urban areas, residential developments, commercial districts, and industrial parks, providing reliable and environmentally friendly thermal energy services.
ENGIE:
- Technology Enhancement: ENGIE is a global energy company with a focus on renewable energy, including geothermal district heating and cooling solutions. They offer integrated energy services that leverage geothermal heat pumps, underground heat exchangers, and energy management systems to provide heating and cooling to buildings and communities. ENGIE’s solutions prioritize decarbonization, energy efficiency, and customer comfort.
- Uniqueness of the Startup: ENGIE stands out for its commitment to sustainable development and its portfolio of renewable energy solutions, including geothermal district heating and cooling. Their expertise in project development, engineering, and operations enables them to deliver tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of each customer and community.
- End-User Segments Addressing: ENGIE serves a diverse range of clients, including municipalities, commercial buildings, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. Their geothermal district energy solutions are deployed in urban, suburban, and rural areas, providing reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly heating and cooling services.
Ramboll:
- Technology Enhancement: Ramboll is a leading engineering, design, and consultancy company specializing in sustainable development, including geothermal district heating and cooling projects. Their services encompass feasibility studies, engineering design, project management, and technical advisory for geothermal energy systems. Ramboll’s expertise covers all aspects of geothermal district energy projects, from resource assessment to system optimization.
- Uniqueness of the Startup: Ramboll stands out for its multidisciplinary approach to geothermal district heating and cooling, combining engineering expertise with environmental and social considerations. Their focus on sustainability, innovation, and stakeholder engagement ensures the successful delivery of geothermal projects that meet the needs of communities and clients.
- End-User Segments Addressing: Ramboll serves public and private sector clients worldwide, including municipalities, utilities, developers, and institutions. Their geothermal district energy solutions are implemented in urban regeneration projects, new developments, industrial parks, and renewable energy initiatives, contributing to the transition to low-carbon and resilient communities.

Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities

Technical University of Munich (TUM):
- Research Focus: TUM is at the forefront of research on Geothermal District Heating and Cooling, focusing on developing advanced technologies and system architectures for utilizing geothermal energy to provide efficient heating and cooling solutions to urban areas.
- Uniqueness: Their research involves the design and optimization of geothermal heat pumps, thermal energy storage systems, and distribution networks to meet the heating and cooling demands of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They also explore integrated energy management strategies, demand-side optimization, and renewable energy integration to enhance system efficiency and reliability.
- End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in district heating and cooling networks, urban planning, and climate mitigation. By leveraging geothermal energy for district-scale heating and cooling, TUM’s research contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing energy security in urban environments.
Oregon Institute of Technology:
- Research Focus: Oregon Institute of Technology conducts innovative research on Geothermal District Heating and Cooling, leveraging its expertise in geosciences, engineering, and renewable energy systems to develop sustainable and cost-effective solutions for utilizing geothermal resources for heating and cooling applications.
- Uniqueness: Their research encompasses the exploration and characterization of geothermal reservoirs, geothermal well drilling technologies, and heat exchanger designs tailored for district-scale applications. They also investigate the integration of geothermal energy with other renewable energy sources, energy storage technologies, and smart grid solutions to optimize system performance and reliability.
- End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work find applications in rural and remote communities, educational campuses, and industrial parks. By harnessing geothermal energy for district heating and cooling, Oregon Tech’s research supports local economic development, energy independence, and environmental sustainability in geothermal-rich regions.
National University of Singapore (NUS):
- Research Focus: NUS is engaged in pioneering research on Geothermal District Heating and Cooling, leveraging its multidisciplinary expertise in earth sciences, energy systems, and urban planning to develop innovative solutions for utilizing geothermal energy in urban environments.
- Uniqueness: Their research involves the development of advanced modeling tools, geospatial analysis techniques, and decision support systems for assessing the feasibility, performance, and environmental impacts of geothermal district heating and cooling projects. They also explore policy and regulatory frameworks, stakeholder engagement strategies, and financial mechanisms to facilitate the deployment and adoption of geothermal energy technologies.
- End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in urban sustainability, climate resilience, and energy transition. By promoting the use of geothermal energy for district-scale heating and cooling, NUS’s research contributes to reducing carbon emissions, mitigating urban heat island effects, and enhancing the resilience of urban infrastructure to climate change impacts.

Commercial Implementation

Geothermal DHC systems are being implemented in various locations around the world, providing sustainable heating and cooling to communities. For example, Reykjavik, Iceland, is known for its extensive geothermal DHC system, which provides heating and hot water to the majority of the city’s residents.

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