EU project for the expansion of geothermal heating and cooling networks

The EU project SAPHEA, with ten organisations from seven countries (led by GeoSphere Austria), aims to support the expansion of geothermal-based heating and cooling networks with a Europe-wide digital access point. GeoSphere Austria is organising the final workshop of SAPHEA as part of the ‘Geothermal District Heating and Cooling Days’, which will take place for the first time in Vienna from 20 to 22 May 2025.

The EU Commission emphasises the central role of heating and cooling for a climate-neutral economy by 2050, which accounts for around half of energy consumption in buildings and industry. The share of renewable energy sources in the heating and cooling supply in the countries of the European Union currently stands at 18 per cent, with only slow growth due to a lack of political measures and investment incentives.

Although district heating and cooling offer great potential, they currently only cover eight per cent of the final energy demand for heating and cooling in Europe.

The EU project SAPHEA aims to change this with a web platform as a Europe-wide digital access point to support the expansion of geothermal-based heating and cooling networks. The aim is to decisively advance the heating transition in Europe and contribute to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

‘With SAPHEA, we are creating concrete tools and advice for decision-makers and helping to replace fossil-fuelled heating systems with sustainable alternatives,’ explains Stefan Hoyer from GeoSphere Austria, who is leading the project. ‘SAPHEA focuses on the utilisation of geothermal energy in heating and cooling networks with temperatures of 30 to 100 °C. The project offers decision support, training and digital tools for better planning and financing. A particular focus is on working with regions across Europe to address local needs and potential.’

SAPHEA is supported by a network of researchers, public authorities and companies. Ten partners from seven countries are involved, including GeoSphere Austria in the role of project leader.

The SAPHEA project is funded by the EU as part of the Horizon Europe programme. The project runs from October 2022 to June 2025.

• establishment of a digital knowledge and advice centre (‘Market Uptake Hub’): This is a web-based information platform where all project results are collated.
• improvement of data and planning tools: Catalogues of European geodata relevant for the planning of geothermal applications were created.
• survey of political and financial framework conditions and derivation of political recommendations for action: For the first time, an EU-27-wide survey of financing instruments relevant to the decarbonisation of the building stock was carried out.
• the involvement of regional stakeholders was achieved by organising several national and international workshops.
• training of future operators and investors.

As part of the Geothermal District Heating and Cooling Days, the project team is organising an interdisciplinary workshop on the premises of GeoSphere Austria (Neulinggasse 38, 1030 Vienna), where all key project results can be presented and tested interactively by the participants. This final workshop will take place as part of the ‘Geothermal District Heating and Cooling Days’.

The ‘Geothermal District Heating and Cooling Days’ are a highlight in the industry's annual calendar and will take place in Vienna for the first time from 20 to 22 May 2025. The main organiser is the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC), co-organisers are GeoSphere Austria and the association ‘Geothermie Österreich’, supported by the SAPHEA project.

Around 120 experts from all over Europe will discuss current developments, challenges and solutions relating to the integration of geothermal energy into heating and cooling networks at the conference at the Vienna Museum of Technology.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)