Governance of shallow geothermal energy resources

• Published in: Energy policy 2020-03, Vol.138, p.1-11, Article 111283
• Main Authors: García-Gil, Alejandro, Goetzl, Gregor, Kłonowski, Maciej R., Borovic, Staša, Boon, David P., Abesser, Corinna, Janza, Mitja, Herms, Ignasi, Petitclerc, Estelle, Erlström, Mikael, Holecek, Jan, Hunter, Taly, Vandeweijer, Vincent P., Cernak, Radovan, Mejías Moreno, Miguel, Epting, Jannis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptive management; Cooling; Cooling systems; Electrification; Energy policy; Energy resources; Energy sources; Geological surveys; Geology; Geothermal energy; Geothermal power; Geothermal resources; Governance; Heat exchangers; Heat pumps; Heating; Hydrogeology; Implementation; Iterative methods; Management; Management development; Markets; Renewable energy resources; Resource governance; Shallow geothermal energy; Sustainability; Technology; Thermal management policies; Urban areas
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111283

Successful electrification of cities' heating and cooling demands depends on the sustainable implementation of highly efficient ground source heat pumps (GSHP). During the last decade, the use of shallow geothermal energy (SGE) resources in urban areas has experienced an unprecedented boost which nowadays is still showing a steady 9% market growth trend. However, the intensive market incorporation experienced by this technology entails different responsibilities towards the long-term technical and environmental sustainability in order to maintain this positive trend. Here we present a SGE management framework structure and a governance model agreed among 13 European Geological Surveys, providing a roadmap for the different levels of management development, adaptable to any urban scale, and independent of the hydrogeological conditions and the grade of development of SGE technology implementation. The management approach reported is based on the adaptive management concept, thus offering a working flow for the non-linear relationship between planning, implementation and control that establishes a cyclical and iterative management process. The generalized structure of the SGE management framework provided allows the effective analysis of policy to identify and plan for management problems and to select the best management objectives, strategies and measures according to the policy principles proposed here. •A governance model for shallow geothermal energy resources is proposed.•The management approach is based on the adaptive management concept.•A complete management framework structure is assessed by 13 geological surveys.•Transparency, co-management, research and extension services guide the process.