Differences in Direct Geothermal Energy Utilization for Heating and Cooling in Central and Northern European Countries

Ellen Nordgård-Hansen (), Ingvild Firman Fjellså, Tamás Medgyes, María Guðmundsdóttir, Baldur Pétursson, Maciej Miecznik, Leszek Pająk, Oto Halás, Einar Leknes and Kirsti Midttømme
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Ellen Nordgård-Hansen: NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Jon Lilletuns vei 9 H, 3.et, 4879 Grimstad, Norway
Ingvild Firman Fjellså: NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Postboks 8046, 4068 Stavanger, Norway
Tamás Medgyes: InnoGeo, 13 Dugonics tér, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
María Guðmundsdóttir: Orkustofnun, Orkugardur, Grensasvegur 9, 108 Reykjavik, Iceland
Baldur Pétursson: Orkustofnun, Orkugardur, Grensasvegur 9, 108 Reykjavik, Iceland
Maciej Miecznik: Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. J. Wybickiego 7A, 31-261 Kraków, Poland
Leszek Pająk: Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. J. Wybickiego 7A, 31-261 Kraków, Poland
Oto Halás: SLOVGEOTERM a.s., Palisády 39, 811 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
Einar Leknes: NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Postboks 8046, 4068 Stavanger, Norway
Kirsti Midttømme: NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Postboks 22 Nygårdstangen, 5838 Bergen, Norway

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 18, 1-30

Abstract: Geothermal energy has emerged as an alternative heating source that can replace fossil energy. This mature technology is already in use all over Europe, but there are significant differences in its use between European countries. One possible explanation for this phenomenon concerns societal differences directly related to geothermal energy, the topic that is investigated in this study. The present work proposes using the societal embeddedness level (SEL) method to analyze and compare the status of non-technical factors affecting geothermal energy use in Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Poland, and Slovakia. The method considers four dimensions: environment, stakeholder involvement, policy and regulations, and markets and financial resources. Only Iceland fully covers the four dimensions by reaching all the milestones in the SEL framework. Iceland has the advantage of a long history of active use of geothermal energy for domestic use. The other countries face challenges within several of the dimensions, while the form and cause of these challenges are specific to each country. The findings illustrate that to mitigate climate change and drive the energy transition forward, both technical and societal factors related to various renewable energy sources must be assessed.

Keywords: geothermal energy; societal embeddedness level (SEL); environment; stakeholders; policy; regulations; market (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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