Shallow geothermal energy under the microscope: Social, economic, and institutional aspects

The design and operation of Shallow Geothermal Energy (SGE) systems have been continuously increasing in scientific research over the past years. What hinders the wide penetration of SGE systems in most countries are issues mostly related to high installation costs, administration, stakeholders'...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Renewable energy 2020-03, Vol.147, p.2801-2808
Main Author: Tsagarakis, Konstantinos P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Economic analysis
Institutional approach
Public awareness
Shallow geothermal energy
Stakeholders
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Summary:The design and operation of Shallow Geothermal Energy (SGE) systems have been continuously increasing in scientific research over the past years. What hinders the wide penetration of SGE systems in most countries are issues mostly related to high installation costs, administration, stakeholders' awareness, and marketing. On top of this, SGE systems lack an in-depth economic evaluation, which is often limited to the financial inputs, and thus omitting the non-market monetized environmental benefits. This paper consists of a primer for conceptually improving understanding in regions with low levels of SGE penetration. It provides guidance to project evaluation and discusses the social and institutional strategies to assist SGE systems penetration. •Economic principles for shallow geothermal energy are discussed.•Social barriers and stakeholders' awareness issues are elicited.•Institutional aspects that hinder penetration of shallow geothermal energy are presented.•A communication plan among stakeholders is recommended.
ISSN:0960-1481
1879-0682
DOI:10.1016/j.renene.2019.01.004